IRCTC ALLOWS TO CARRY PETS IN TRAIN : Grasshopper

Sakshi Nagar 08-05-2023 01:45 PM My India

If you have a pet and love to travel with it, you may face some challenges while booking tickets for them on a train. But this may change soon as Indian Railways is working to bring you the solution. Ministry of Railways has recently prepared a proposal to start an online ticket booking facility for pet dogs and cats. This means you can avoid long queues at parcel booking counters and book tickets for your pet from the comfort of your home.

Passengers can book tickets for carrying pets from the parcel booking counter. Pet lovers must purchase a second-class baggage ticket for their pets. Earlier, pet parents had to book a first-class AC ticket, cabin, or coupe and reserve the entire coupe by visiting the parcel booking counter on the platform on the day of travel. Passengers were allowed to carry their four-legged friends in second-class luggage and a box in the brake van. To solve this problem, the Railway Ministry is planning to start online ticket booking for pets. Railways have specific rules regarding the transportation of elephants, animals, and birds. Separate coaches have been arranged for him. Domestic pet cats and dogs can travel with their owners in their respective coaches.

Ministry of Railways has proposed an online booking facility for pets in AC-1 trains. The ministry hopes that this will make it more convenient and comfortable for passengers to travel with pets. A report has revealed that the Railway Board has asked CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) to modify the software to enable online booking of animals on the IRCTC website.

Currently, passengers must book two or four berths complete coupe AC first class. Its cost is huge. If the dog is carried in the dog box, it will be charged as per baggage rates prevailing on the train. In today's time, 30 kg is charged per dog. But a fee of 60 kg had to be paid for taking dogs in AC first class coach. But pets are prohibited in AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, and Second Class.

EARLIER, HOW PETS WERE TAKEN IN THE TRAIN,

Earlier passengers had to book a complete coupe with two or four berths in AC first class and the fees were also very high. If the dog was carried in the dog box, it was charged 30 kg per dog at baggage rates applicable on the train. But they could not move into AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, and Second-Class coaches. If a passenger did not book a ticket for his pet, he was heavily fined. During this time TTE used to charge six times the ticket price.

IRCTC GUIDELINES FOR PET PARENTS

· Even after having a PRS ticket or an online ticket booked by IRCTC, your pet has to be taken to the luggage office at least three hours before the departure of the train for booking.

· Carrying stomach with passengers in AC First Class or First Class Coupe is charged as luggage.

· Pets are prohibited in AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, and Second-Class coaches. If any passenger objects to the presence of a dog in the compartment, the dog will be removed from the guard's van without a refund.

· When a pet dog is booked, it must have an anti-rabies vaccine. A certificate from a veterinarian stating the breed, color, and gender of the pet dog is also required.

· During travel, the owner is responsible for providing water and food for the dog.

· The dog's owner is responsible for any incident during the journey.

· Railways has made two types of arrangements for carrying small pets. You can either carry it with you or take it as a luggage.