After the ‘Super Saver’ scheme, it’s time for the voluntary passenger scheme. Indian Railways is likely to start the scheme starting September. A minimal premium of 92 paise per ticket would be charged from passengers so they can avail an insurance worth Rs. 10 lakh in case of untoward accidents.
Out of 17 shortlisted insurance companies by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), 3 will be finalised on Friday to provide insurance scheme to passengers, in case of permanent disability or death caused in an accident.
The scheme will be launched on pilot basis for tickets booked online, and it might get extended to passengers buying tickets from the counters. However, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has declared plans to launch the scheme in Rail Budget 2016.
As per the scheme, a passenger will get an insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh for hospitalisation, Rs. 10 lakh for death or permanent disability, and Rs. 7.5 lakh for injuries or partial disability.
According to a senior railway official, “A passenger has to opt for insurance while booking e-ticket. The premium can be based on the duration of journey or distance. The technicalities of insurance coverage will be worked out after finalizing the companies”.
He further added, “As of now Railway Board has capped the amount at Rs. 10 lakh but based on the initial review it can be extended upto Rs. 50 lakh if a passenger wants. There are also plan to cover baggage insurance along with passenger insurance but everything will depend on the response of the pilot to be launched in September”.
Some sort of flexibility might be provided to the passengers by increasing the insured amount.
As told by A. K. Mital, Railway Board Chairman, “Currently there are railways claims tribunals which provide compensation in case of mishaps. One can claim compensation in case of accidents. Now we are offering additional service of insurance”.
