The TDR Should be filled only after the train completes its journey I mean when It reaches it final destination.
Reason behind it TDR is processed manually it includes many steps. When train will reach its destination The TTE on duty will submit the final report of charting(TTE prepare the report regarding any vacant berth alloted to which RAC passengers, how many wait listed passengers get confirmed en route etc). On the behalf of this chart they concerned zone will be able to know that which passenger has traveled or not because TTE also mark the passenger Present or Absent in the chart.
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always file TDR after two or three days.
Yesterday one of my customer was not able to board the train and the train has now reached its destination but still I have not filled the TDR yet.
I will file it day after tomorrow.
So never be too early to file TDR.
Remember TDR is long process & it takes around 90 days to credit the refund but some time more than it. Some of my refunds are still pending from last January. It does not mean that if you file early you will get it immediately. For TDR refund lot of patience require both to the passenger & agents.
But frankly speaking the method is too wrong, because some of TDR takes too much time & it generates negative image of booking agent & the passenger thinks that refund has processed but the agent is not giving it to them.
We agents face too many problems due to this non logical process.

sir,
1. Instead of 6.15AM, please read it as 6.50.15 AM. This is the time when my following message was transmitted to IRCTC and not the time of filing TDR by IRCTC.
"Sat, 7 November, 2009 6:50:15 AM
cancellation of eticket due to late running of train by more than 3 hours
From:_bimal...
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agarwal <bkagarwal47@yahoo.co.in>
Add to Contacts
To:_etickets@irctc.co.in _
Cc:_bkagarwal47@yahoo.co.in_
Please refer to the eticket as detailed below. Since the train is running late by more than 3 hours, it is requested that the entire ticket of both passengers be cancelled and refund may be credited to our bank account.
BK Agarwal
Mobile: 09251737890"
2. TDR was filed by IRCTC and not me on 8.11.09 detailed as under.
Reason For TDR _:_Train Late More Than Three Hours.
TDR Status _:_Forwarded To Railway
Reference No _:_ekt200911800824113
TDR Zone _:_NR
TDR Filing Date _:_08-Nov-2009
3. I had recorded the train running status on 7.11.09 from Railways train running information site as under.
"Selected Train Selected Station Date (DD/MM/YYYY)
2431 KOTA 07/11/2009
Train Name RAJDHANI EXP
Station Name KOTA JN
Scheduled Arrival Time 06:50, 07 Nov 2009
Delay In Arrival (Hr:Min) 11:00
Actual/Expected Arrival 17:50, 07 Nov 2009
Scheduled Departure Time 07:00, 07 Nov 2009
Delay In Departure (Hr:Min) 10:55
Actual/Expected Departure 17:55, 07 Nov 2009
Last Updated At 15:35, 07 Nov 2009 "
I do not what more efforts can be made by a passenger to prove his case.
BK Agarwal

Absolutely right sir. No more efforts other than filing online TDR are expected to be made by the passengers. Since online e-ticket is handled by IRCTC, such TDR claims by passengers are just forwarded to Rlys by IRCTC for the purpose of refund processing. Rlys intimate IRCTC when refund is processed and to be granted to the passengers. IRCTC thereafter goes further to credit the refund to the bank account of the passenger.
@ The best alternative in view of shortage of time and energy in physically following up the matter and also the costs factor in such doing, it is better to vigourously follow up the matter by e-mails... I repeat ... by e-mails with IRCTC. You may reuest...
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IRCTC to provide e-mail id of the concerned section officer of the Rlys and mark c.c. all e-mails to him also. Keep up sending reminder e-mails every two days.
@ I expect you to get back balance refund much much faster and speedier in 3-4 weeks time by pursuing the matter in the way just outlined hereinabove.
@ Do try out and inform the result by posting on this forum. For better linking purposes, you are requested to remember your blog post entry # 46954 on this forum. For directly going to this blog no., just use the search option tabs provided at the top of this website.
Good wishes.