As pet parents share so much of our lives with our pets that many of us don’t even consider taking a long-haul trip as that would mean leaving them behind. Travelling with pets can be challenging as it isn’t common in India. It involves a good amount of planning ahead and dependency on local transport authorities.
In a welcome move, the Ministry of Railways recently announced their plans to implement an online ticket booking facility for passengers who want to travel with their pets (dogs and cats). With this development, the railways intend to make trips hassle-free for people who wish to bring their four-legged pets on the train journey.
A senior official with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has said that the Ministry of Railways has prepared a proposal that will make it easier for pet parents to take their dogs or cats anywhere they go. “Currently people have to book 1st Class AC tickets and reserve the whole coupe by visiting the parcel booking counters on the platform on the day of travel. To address this issue, as a new rule the Ministry of Railways is planning to start online ticket booking for pets,” she said. In the proposal, the ministry has planned an online booking facility for pets in AC-1 class of trains. The proposal also includes giving the TTEs the power to book pets on board. “Currently, after several discussions, the board has asked the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to make changes in the software so that the facility of online booking of animals can begin on the IRCTC website. One can expect the change by the end of the year as these need to go through pilot runs,” the official added.
Proposed Arrangements And Rules
• The passengers need to have their tickets confirmed before booking tickets for their pets.
• One must pay the applicable baggage fees if they carry their dog in AC First Class or First Class coupe.
• One must have a certificate from a veterinarian that specifies the breed, colour, and gender of your dog for booking. Get a fitness certificate from the vet 24-48 hours before departure and carry relevant vaccination certificates and IDs.
• One must bring their pet to the luggage office at least three hours before the train's departure for booking, whether they have a PRS ticket or an online ticket from IRCTC.
• If the passenger cancels the ticket, no refund will be given for the animal ticket. If the train is cancelled or delayed by more than three hours, the animal ticket fee will not be refunded, only the passenger's ticket will be refunded.
• One can carry puppies in a basket in any accommodation class, grown canines can't be brought along in AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, or Second-Class compartments. If other passengers complain, the dog will be moved to the guard's van without a refund.
• The SLR coach usually reserved for the guard on trains, will be used for keeping pets, and the passengers can check on them and provide food during a halt at any station.