May 13th, 2023: Software modifications are being made so that the availability of online pet reservations on the IRCTC website is functional.
The Ministry of Railways plans to make it simpler for travellers to bring pets on trains, according to a report. The ministry has submitted a proposal to start accepting pet reservations for trains online. A request for software improvements to enable online booking for animals on the IRCTC website has been filed to CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems).
At the moment, only the platform's package booking counter may be used to reserve "tickets" for dogs and cats. Animals are only allowed to be transported in AC-1 or SLR compartments in this case, and only after reserving the entire cabin in the latter category. On the other hand, bigger domestic animals (horses, cows, buffaloes) can only be transported in goods trains with a human looking out for them.
However, in this new rules, certain guidelines should be followed :-
- Once the train's first chart has been prepared, passengers will be able to purchase "tickets" for their pets. They must confirm their own ticket, although animal tickets may be reserved through the IRCTC app or website.
- As an alternative, once the online option is functional, the railway ticket examiner (TTE) will also be able to reserve "tickets" for dogs and cats.
- The only AC-1 coaches with 2 or 4 berth coupes that would accommodate pets. The animals would need to be vaccinated, but if other passengers objected, they would be transferred to the guard in the SLR (Seating/Luggage Rake).
- There isn't any facility for a return of the cost of animal tickets, regardless of whether the owner decides not to travel with their animals, cancels the trip, or the train is delayed for more than three hours. However, the tourist can receive the reimbursement.
