Indian Railways to introduce option for passengers to change travel dates on confirmed tickets
New Delhi: In a significant shift aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, Indian Railways is working on a proposal to allow passengers to modify their travel dates even after they have obtained a confirmed ticket.
“Starting January, passengers can change the travel date of their confirmed train tickets online without any fee,” NDTV quoted Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as saying.
At present, passengers who wish to change their travel date are required to cancel their existing ticket and purchase a new one, which often results in fare deductions depending on the timing of the cancellation. The process is not only expensive but also inconvenient.
Calling the existing system “unfair,” Vaishnaw emphasised the need for more flexible options. He confirmed that instructions have been issued to implement the new, passenger-friendly changes.
Under the current cancellation rules, passengers are charged a percentage of the fare based on the timing of the cancellation. For example, cancelling a confirmed ticket between 48 and 12 hours before departure results in a 25% deduction. The fee increases for cancellations made closer to the departure time.
Once the reservation chart is prepared, refunds for cancellations are generally not granted.
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Cheating made bigger than it actually is: Gukesh
Prague (PTI): World Champion D Gukesh has categorically stated that the problems around cheating in chess are made to be bigger than its existence.
Speaking during a press conference for the Prague International festival, Gukesh said he did not support Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion who has been infamously levelling charges against quite a few chess players suspecting cheating during online games.
“Obviously, I’m against any kind of unfair or unethical play," “It’s a kind of problem that we have been seeing lately," Gukesh said.
The whole world had stood out for Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky of America who died at a young age of just 29 years. Naroditsky was a famous content creator in chess who appeared to be very emotional in his last stream just days before his untimely death.
Gukesh is not the only one to join the bandwagon as earlier World number one Magnus Carlsen, FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich and Indian stars Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin had also criticised Kramnik as his allegations could not be substantiated with any definite proof.
Speaking about the forthcoming Candidates tournament, Gukesh said he did not believe in favourites and that he would love to play fellow city-mate R Praggnanandhaa.
Meanwhile in the first round of the super tournament, Gukesh will face Hans Moke Niemann of United States, another player who has fought his way to top level chess. Niemann is a dangerous customer and Gukesh likes to go for complex play which insures a fighting beginning for the World Champion.
The other Indian in the fray, Aravindh Chithambaram will take on Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, a recent winner of the Tata Steel Masters.
