Tatanagar: Tickets refunded after Howrah-Mumbai Mail accident, passengers affected due to route changes, train cancellations

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 31:Following the Howrah-Mumbai Mail accident near Barabambo Potobeda in Seraikela-Kharsawan on Tuesday, the operation of a dozen trains was affected, leading to route changes and cancellations. As a result, approximately 319 tickets were cancelled at Tatanagar station on July 30 with the railways refunding more than Rs Three lakh to passengers. More than a dozen trains were also cancelled on July 31, with an estimated 300 to 350 additional tickets expected to be cancelled.

Over one lakh passengers travel daily from Tatanagar station, and the sudden news of train cancellations caused panic. Passengers who had reserved their tickets months in advance were particularly affected by the unexpected cancellations.

Passengers who booked tickets online received refunds directly in their accounts. However, those who booked tickets from cyber cafes faced difficulties in obtaining refunds. Additionally, passengers who purchased tickets from the counter had to endure long queues at Tatanagar station on Tuesday and Wednesday to return their tickets.

The cancellation of trains such as the Howrah-Titlagarh-Kantabanji Express, Kharagpur-Jhargram-Dhanbad Express, Howrah-Barbil-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express, Tatanagar-Itwari Express, and Shalimar-LTT Express on July 30 further compounded the passengers’ problems.

Many passengers made alternative arrangements to reach their destinations, booking tickets from other stations including Chakradharpur and traveling the next day.