India Gets First Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, But Strict Cancellation Rules May Burn Passengers’ Pockets
New Rules for Vande Bharat Trains: Ticket Cancellation Could Cost You Heavily: After the massive success of the Vande Bharat Express, India has now taken another major leap in premium rail travel with the launch of its first Vande Bharat Sleeper train. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently flagged off the inaugural sleeper service running between Howrah and Kamakhya (Guwahati), promising airline-like comfort, faster travel, and world-class amenities.
However, while the new train aims to rival air travel in speed and luxury, passengers planning to board it will need to be extremely cautious. The Indian Railways has introduced strict refund and cancellation rules for the Vande Bharat Sleeper, which could result in significant financial losses if travel plans change at the last moment.
According to a fresh notification issued by the Railway Board, cancellation norms for this premium service have been tightened considerably. The most stringent rule states that no refund will be granted if a ticket is cancelled within eight hours of the train’s scheduled departure. In such cases, the entire fare will be forfeited.
Railways Tighten Rules for Vande Bharat: Late Cancellation Means Zero Refund
For confirmed tickets cancelled more than 72 hours before departure, the Railways will deduct 25% of the fare, refunding the remaining amount. If the cancellation is made between 72 hours and 8 hours prior to departure, passengers will lose 50% of the ticket fare, receiving only half as a refund.
In another major change, the Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) facility has been completely abolished for the Vande Bharat Sleeper. Unlike conventional trains where RAC passengers are guaranteed boarding and partial berths, no such provision will exist on this service.
The Railways has also clarified that most quotas will not apply on this train. Only quotas for women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and duty passes will be allowed. All other VIP and general quotas have been removed. Additionally, a minimum fare has been fixed for 400 kilometers, meaning passengers will be charged for this distance even if they travel less.
Designed for comfortable overnight journeys, the fully air-conditioned Vande Bharat Sleeper will reduce travel time on the Howrah–Guwahati route by nearly two and a half hours. The Railways aims to offer an airline-like travel experience at comparatively affordable prices, aligning its ticketing and refund policies closely with those followed by airlines.
While the train marks a significant milestone in India’s rail modernization, passengers are advised to plan their journeys carefully, as last-minute changes could prove costly under the new rules.
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