The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to extend travel insurance coverage to every ticket sold at station counters across the country, with the order taking effect from October 27, 2026. The directive brings offline ticket buyers on a par with passengers who book online and already receive insurance on payment of a nominal additional amount.
What the court ordered
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan passed the order on October 6 while hearing a case concerning passenger safety. The bench said that within two weeks — by October 27 — all tickets sold over the counter at all railway stations must be covered by insurance in the same manner as tickets purchased online. The court made it explicit that the direction is mandatory, and warned that the Railway Board would be held directly responsible for any failure to implement it.
Why the court intervened
The case arose from a writ petition filed after the June 2023 Odisha train accident, which initially sought an independent probe and safety systems such as Kavach. The court widened the scope of the matter to include passenger-facing concerns, including the absence of insurance for counter-ticket buyers — many of whom, the bench observed, belong to the lowest strata of society and buy tickets at reservation counters while travelling by train. The bench recorded its "utter disappointment and displeasure" at the conduct of Railway Ministry officials, noting that the authorities had been given sufficient time to devise a mechanism but had made no progress.
What happens next
Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee, appearing for the Centre, asked for one last opportunity to file an affidavit on the work done on the ground, and the court put on hold its order summoning the Chairman and members of the Railway Board. The matter will next be heard on November 16.
Sources: The Hindu · The Indian Express · LiveLaw
What the court ordered
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan passed the order on October 6 while hearing a case concerning passenger safety. The bench said that within two weeks — by October 27 — all tickets sold over the counter at all railway stations must be covered by insurance in the same manner as tickets purchased online. The court made it explicit that the direction is mandatory, and warned that the Railway Board would be held directly responsible for any failure to implement it.
Why the court intervened
The case arose from a writ petition filed after the June 2023 Odisha train accident, which initially sought an independent probe and safety systems such as Kavach. The court widened the scope of the matter to include passenger-facing concerns, including the absence of insurance for counter-ticket buyers — many of whom, the bench observed, belong to the lowest strata of society and buy tickets at reservation counters while travelling by train. The bench recorded its "utter disappointment and displeasure" at the conduct of Railway Ministry officials, noting that the authorities had been given sufficient time to devise a mechanism but had made no progress.
What happens next
Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee, appearing for the Centre, asked for one last opportunity to file an affidavit on the work done on the ground, and the court put on hold its order summoning the Chairman and members of the Railway Board. The matter will next be heard on November 16.
Sources: The Hindu · The Indian Express · LiveLaw
