Amidst the difficulties faced by people traveling with their beloved four-legged companions, the Indian Railways has come up with a solution that can ease the woes of pet parents.
Ministry of Railways has recently prepared a proposal under which one can start online ticket booking facility for pet dogs and cats. This will help in avoiding long queues at parcel booking counters and also facilitate booking of tickets for pets from home.
Compared to last time – when pet parents had to book 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 journey – Railways has introduced online booking facility. Pets are offered in AC-1 class of trains.
If a passenger wants to book a pet on board, he/she will have to approach the TTE as per the new proposal. Among other details, the railways has also asked CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) to make changes in the software so that people can book tickets for pets through the IRCTC website, reported The Statesman.
Among other things, passengers can also book animal tickets online through their mobile or computer after the first chart preparation of the train on the IRCTC website. But, the ticket of the passenger should be confirmed.
Further, if the passenger is not traveling in AC-1, he/she will have to approach the TTE who will have the authority to book the dog-cat ticket and keep the animals in the SLR coach. Pet parents can provide water, food, etc. to their pets – especially cats and dogs – as soon as the train stops at a station.
For large domestic animals like horses, cows, buffaloes, etc., they are booked and transported in goods trains. Railway is not responsible for any harm to the animals.
Here are the IRCTC guidelines for travel with pets:
1) Bring your dog or cat to the baggage office at least three hours before the departure of the train for booking, whether PRS ticket or online ticket from IRCTC.
2) If you are willing to take your dog with you in AC First Class or First Class Coupe then pay the applicable baggage charges.
3) Dogs are not allowed in AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper Class, or Second Class coaches.
4) A certificate from a Veterinarian specifying the breed, color and gender of your dog must be provided for booking.
5) However, you can take puppies in a crate to any housing class.
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