Train travel is one of the most preferred ways to travel in India because it is affordable and comfortable.
However, train delays are quite common and often create problems for passengers.
The biggest issue arises when you have to catch another train from a different station.
If your first train gets delayed and you miss the second one, many people assume their ticket money is lost.
But that’s not always true.
Indian Railways has a special rule that allows eligible passengers to claim a refund in such situations.
When Can You Get a Refund?
If you have booked your journey using IRCTC’s Connecting Journey Booking facility, you may be eligible for a full refund if you miss your second train because the first one was delayed.
This feature links two separate train tickets with different PNR numbers, allowing the Railways to treat them as one continuous journey.
However, you must meet a few important conditions.
While booking the second train, you must select the Connecting Journey Booking option and enter the PNR number of your first train.
The destination station of the first train and the boarding station of the second train should be the same or officially connected nearby stations.
The scheduled gap between the two trains should be at least 20 minutes and not more than 5 days.
If these conditions are fulfilled, you can claim a refund if you miss your connecting train due to the delay of the first train.
Don’t Delay the Refund Request
If you miss your connecting train, you need to act quickly.
Indian Railways allows passengers to apply for a refund only within three hours of the arrival of the first train at the station.
To claim the refund, you have to file a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) through the IRCTC website or mobile app.
Applications submitted after the three-hour deadline are generally not accepted.
How to File a TDR on IRCTC
Filing a TDR is simple. Follow these steps:
Log in to the IRCTC website or app.
Go to My Account and then select My Transactions.
Click on File TDR.
Enter the PNR number of the ticket for which you want a refund.
Select the refund reason as “Main Train Late and Connecting Train Missed.”
Submit the request. After verification, the eligible refund will be credited to your account.
When Will You Not Get a Refund?
This refund facility is available only if all the Railway rules are followed.
You will not receive a refund if:
The second train ticket was booked under the Tatkal quota.
The second ticket was on the waiting list.
You did not link both PNRs using the Connecting Journey Booking option while booking your tickets.
So, if you’re planning a journey with two trains, make sure to use the Connecting Journey Booking feature.
It can help you avoid financial loss if your first train gets delayed and you miss your next one.
