Indian Railways has extended its optional travel insurance scheme to passengers buying reserved tickets at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, giving offline bookers access to cover of up to Rs 10 lakh during train journeys. The facility was implemented from Tuesday and is available to passengers aged five years and above.
Under the Optional Travel Insurance Scheme (OTIS), passengers can receive up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability during a train journey. The cover also includes Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability and up to Rs 2 lakh towards hospital expenses for injuries.
The scheme provides an additional payment of Rs 10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains. Passengers booking reserved tickets through PRS counters must indicate their willingness to opt for the insurance while filling out the reservation form.
The premium is 45 paise and must be paid through online payment, according to the report. The facility is optional, meaning passengers can choose whether to purchase the cover while making their reservation.
East Central Railway chief public relations officer Saraswati Chandra said the insurance facility is available to passengers aged five years and above, including children between five and 11 years. Children below five years are not eligible for coverage under the scheme.
The extension is significant for passengers who continue to use railway reservation counters instead of online booking platforms. While the report does not provide figures on the number of counter bookings or the expected uptake of the scheme, the railway said the move would make travel insurance accessible to a wider section of passengers.
The Samastipur division of East Central Railway confirmed that the scheme had been implemented from Tuesday. Its public relations officer, R K Singh, said the extension to PRS counter bookings would give passengers an additional option for financial protection against unforeseen incidents during train journeys.
The coverage applies to the insured passenger during the train journey, with the specified benefits varying according to the nature of death, disability, injury or related requirement. Passengers opting for the facility must complete the selection and payment process at the time of booking their reserved ticket.
