In a move to extend coverage to all train travellers, the Supreme Court has directed the Railways to provide insurance for tickets purchased over the counter from October 27, warning that the Railway Board would be directly responsible for any failure to implement the order.
The October 6 direction came on a plea filed in the wake of the June 2023 Odisha train accident, seeking a commission of inquiry to probe the crash, which the petitioner attributed to the non-implementation of the Kavach safety system. The plea also sought directions to the authorities to ensure its early implementation across all trains.
Hearing the matter, the bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan expanded its scope to cover various aspects of passenger safety, including railway foot over bridges, fencing of tracks, and the lack of insurance for tickets purchased over the counter.
The court accepted the request and put its order summoning the Chairman and members of the Railway Board on hold.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee urged the bench to grant him one last opportunity to file a categorical affidavit setting out the actual work carried out on the ground during the last year, and explaining the reasons for not achieving the prescribed targets, at least in respect of fencing.
“As there has been no progress on this aspect either, we direct that within two weeks, i.e, with effect from October 27, 2026, all tickets sold over the counter at all railway stations shall also be covered by insurance in the same manner as tickets purchased online. The aforesaid direction shall be implemented mandatorily, failing which the responsibility shall be directly upon the Railway Board.” The court will now hear the matter next on November 16.