Supreme Court orders insurance for all counter-booked train tickets from October 27

The Supreme Court has directed Indian Railways to extend insurance coverage to all train tickets purchased over the counter from October 27, warning that the Railway Board would be held directly responsible for any failure to implement the order.

The direction was issued on October 6 by a bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan while hearing a plea filed after the June 2023 Odisha train accident.

The petition sought an inquiry into the crash, which the petitioner attributed to the non-implementation of the Kavach safety system.

The court expanded the scope of the proceedings to cover passenger safety measures, including the expansion of Kavach, railway foot overbridges and track fencing.

The bench expressed “utter disappointment and displeasure at the conduct of the officers of the Ministry of Railways” over what it described as a serious matter concerning public safety.

“The Railways have been representing before this Court that all necessary steps are being taken in this regard. However, it appears that such assurances have remained largely on paper and that no substantial change has taken place on the ground,” the bench said.

The court also observed that budgetary provisions for safety measures had not been fully utilised.

On insurance coverage, the bench noted that sufficient time had been given to the authorities to develop a mechanism covering economically disadvantaged passengers who often purchase tickets at reservation counters.

“As there has been no progress on this aspect either, we direct that within two weeks, i.e., with effect from October 27, 2026, all tickets sold over the counter at all railway stations shall also be covered by insurance in the same manner as tickets purchased online. The aforesaid direction shall be implemented mandatorily, failing which the responsibility shall be directly upon the Railway Board.”

The court had initially ordered the Railway Board chairman and members to appear before it. However, it deferred the summons after Additional Solicitor General Vikramjeet Banerjee sought two weeks to file an affidavit detailing the work completed and explaining delays in meeting safety targets.

The matter will next be heard on November 16.