Indian Railways has recently made major changes in train ticket booking rules. Earlier passengers could book the train tickets till 120 days ago, but now this period has been reduced to 60 days. The purpose of this change is to increase the convenience of passengers and reduce the problem of waiting list. However, many passengers are having difficulty in understanding why waiting is coming even after taking tickets 60 days ago. In this article, we will discuss this subject in detail.
Overview of train ticket booking rules
| Rule | Description |
| Advance reservation period | Reduced from 120 days to 60 days |
| Waiting ticket system | Recognized only in general coach |
| Tatkal booking timing | AC: 10 am, Non-A: 11 am |
| refund policy | Train canceled or over 3 hours delay |
| Foreign Tourist ARP | 365 day advance booking facility |
| Punishment for unauthorized journey | AC: ₹ 440 + fare up to the next station |
Why wait with 60 days of advance booking?
Despite reducing the Advance Reservation Period by the Railways to 60 days, there is a problem of waiting list. Many reasons account for this:
- Festive season and congested:
The number of passengers in trains increases during Diwali, Chhath, and other festivals. At this time more people travel, which reduces the availability of seats. - Limited train capacity:
The number of seats in trains is limited. When the demand is high, the seats are quickly filled and the waiting list is formed. - Bulk booking by agents:
Some agents book a large number of tickets simultaneously, so that seats are not available for normal passengers. - No-show trend:
Railways found that many passengers do not travel after booking tickets. This “no-show” trend disrupts the correct use of seats.
Advance Reservation Period (ARP) change
Indian Railways has reduced ARP to 60 days. Earlier this period was 120 days. The purpose of this change was to solve the following problems:
- Reducing the number of no-show passengers:
Long -term advance booking passengers often canceled their journey. - Ban on ticket brokers:
This step was taken by agents to prevent black marketing. - Make travel plan realistic:
Passengers will be able to plan their journey.
Waiting ticket rules
Under the new rules, waiting ticket holders will not be allowed to travel in reservation or AC coach. They can travel only in general coaches. If a passenger violates the rule, he will have to pay a fine.
Details of fine:
- AC Coach: ₹ 440 + fare up to the next station.
- Sleeper Coach: ₹ 250 + fare up to the next station.
Tatakal ticket booking process
Tatkal ticket booking process has also been organized:
- Booking starts from 10 am for AC class.
- Booking starts from 11 am for Non-C class.
Benefits of tatkal booking:
- Facility for travel planrs at the last minute.
- The possibility of getting confirmed tickets increases.
Impact on passengers
The new rules have had the following effect on the passengers:
- Waiting ticket holders will only have to travel in general coaches.
- Long -term advance booking will not be possible.
- Passengers with confirmed tickets will get better facilities.
- The activities of ticket brokers will be curbed.
Questions about new rules
Will the tickets already booked will be affected?
No, 120 days already booked tickets will be valid.
What will be the effect of these rules on foreign tourists?
The period of advance booking for foreign tourists will still be 365 days.
Will the waiting list end?
Railways have started work on AI technology and new schemes to end the waiting list, but it will take time to end completely.
Rejuvenation
This article is based on the new rules and their impacts issued by Indian Railways. The new rules are real and have been implemented for the purpose of increasing the convenience of passengers. However, the problem of waiting list is not completely over yet. Passengers should take care of these rules while making their travel plan.
