Pune Railway Division Earns ₹62.7 Crore From Ticket Cancellations, Sparks Debate On Refund Policies
Pune Train Timetable Revised from June 1: Key Changes in Arrival and Departure Timings at Pune Station
The Pune division of the Central Railway (CR) has generated ₹62.7 crore in revenue through ticket cancellations in the financial year 2024–25, reflecting a sharp 24% increase over the ₹50.48 crore earned in 2023–24. The rise in cancellation-related earnings has reignited discussions around railway refund policies and their impact on passengers.
According to officials, the revenue surge is attributed to a significant number of last-minute cancellations, especially for trains bound for northern and long-distance destinations. These trains are often fully booked months in advance, but unforeseen circumstances compel many passengers to cancel even confirmed tickets close to the date of travel.
The Pune railway division runs approximately 150 trains daily, including 50 originating from the city. With around 1.75 lakh daily passengers, the division is one of the busiest in the region. The narrowing of the advance ticket booking window to two months has also led to a spike in both bookings and cancellations.
Cancellations made between 48 and 12 hours before departure attract a 25% deduction, while those within 12 to four hours before departure see a 50% fare deduction. Tickets cannot be cancelled if less than four hours remain for departure.
However, the growing revenue from cancellations has drawn criticism from passenger rights advocates. The railways are collecting excessive charges under the pretext of cancellation fees. Even waitlisted passengers, who are unlikely to get confirmed seats, are penalised with deductions. A nominal fee would be more appropriate.
As Indian Railways continues to digitise and streamline operations, calls are growing louder for a re-evaluation of cancellation and refund norms, especially in light of the mounting financial burden on frequent travellers.
