SC Order: Travel Insurance for Railway Counter Tickets!
In a significant move to protect passengers, the Supreme Court of India has directed Indian Railways to extend travel insurance coverage to those purchasing tickets at physical reservation counters. This landmark ruling aims to eliminate the disparity between passengers booking online and those purchasing offline tickets.
Bridging the Online-Offline Gap
The directive was issued on October 6, 2026, by a bench consisting of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan. Currently, passengers who book e-tickets via IRCTC can opt for travel insurance for a minimal premium of just 45 paise per passenger. This digital insurance scheme offers substantial protection, including:
- Up to ₹10 lakh for accidental death or permanent total disability.
- Up to ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability.
- Up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalization expenses.
- ₹10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains.
By mandating insurance for counter-purchased tickets, the Court ensures that all travelers, regardless of how they book, have access to these essential safety nets.
Concerns Over Railway Safety Infrastructure
While addressing the insurance issue, the Supreme Court also voiced its strong dissatisfaction with the current progress of railway safety initiatives. The bench noted that improvements in critical areas must be accelerated to ensure passenger security. Specific areas of concern mentioned include:
- The implementation of the Kavach safety system.
- The installation of track fencing.
- The construction of necessary foot overbridges.
Strict Deadline for Implementation
The Railway Board has been given a clear deadline of October 27, 2026, to establish a mechanism for providing insurance to counter ticket holders. The Court made it clear that if this deadline is not met, the responsibility for any failure will fall directly upon the Board.
It is important to note that even without this new directive, the Railways remains bound by the Railway Accidents and Untoward Incidents (Compensation) Rules, 1990. Under these existing rules, fatalities can attract compensation of up to ₹8 lakh, with claims being handled by the Railway Claims Tribunal. Furthermore, the Court has previously maintained that the absence of a valid ticket should not be used as a reason to deny accident compensation.
The Supreme Court is set to revisit this matter during the next hearing scheduled for November 16, 2026.