Indian Railways Relieves Pet Parents of Travel Woes - News

Indian Railways has made life easier for pet owners/parents with the facility of online booking of pets in AC First Class. This new feature eliminates the hassle of visiting parcel offices before departure, providing a seamless experience for travelers. Over 700 pet bookings have been processed since its introduction in May 2024, which is reflective of a growing demand from pet owners.

Under the new system, pets are allowed to commute in private AC First Class coupes, ensuring comfort for both animals and their owners. Although it is costly, which can be as expensive as air travel, making it inaccessible for most people. Moreover, only a few numbers of coupes are allotted on each train.

Maneka Gandhi, Former Minister of Women and Child Development of India and Animal welfare advocate, has urged the railways to reinstate ‘dog boxes’ in guard coaches as it will be a cheaper option. These boxes, supplanted with older train designs, allowed pets to travel separately, and the owners could periodically check on them and comfort the four-legged friend. Gandhi has time and again emphasized the challenges faced by pet owners due to the lack or absence of this facility, especially for those unable to afford AC First Class.

Railway officials acknowledged that introducing dog boxes are not easy, especially with concerns about ventilation and cleanliness issues. At the same time, with the pet ownership business surging at almost 14 percent annually in India, this trend only represents the increasing demand for pet-friendly modes of travel. While air travel is still an option, railways offer a more convenient and controlled environment for traveling with pets, paving the way for further innovations in pet transport.