To begin with the service can be availed only by passengers whose train departure timings is between 11 PM and 6 AM.
The software required for the cancellation over phone is ready and currently under trials, said a senior Railway Ministry official.
In the phone ticket cancellation service, passengers can call 139 and give details of their confirmed ticket for cancellation and they will receive a one-time password (OTP). They can visit the nearest ticket counter till 10 AM next morning after cancellation over phone and provide the OTP to claim refund.
For other passengers, whose scheduled departure does not fall in the 11 PM-6 AM window, the existing rule of four hours cancellation from the time of departure will be applicable.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has announced the launch of this service in the railway budget this year.