Recently, a news went viral on social media that Indian Railways is going to start the facility of free travel in general coaches from January 20. This news spread very quickly and many people accepted it as true. But is this news really true? Has Railways made any such announcement?
In this article we will know the truth of this news and understand what are the current policies of Indian Railways. Besides, we will also know what new facilities the Railways is bringing for the passengers and how rail travel is being made better.
Free travel in general compartment: truth or rumour?
The announcement of free travel in general coaches by Indian Railways is a rumor. Railways has not made any such plan nor made any announcement. This news is completely wrong and there is no basis for spreading it.
Rumor Overview
| Description | Situation |
| name of the scheme | free travel in general compartment |
| commencing date | January 20 (mentioned in rumour) |
| reality | No such plan exists |
| beneficiary | none (plan is false) |
| application process | Not applicable |
| Required Documents | Not applicable |
| objective of the plan | none (rumor) |
| official website | no official information |
Current Ticket Policy of Indian Railways
As per the current ticketing policy of Indian Railways, all passengers are required to purchase a valid ticket for their journey. A ticket is also required to travel in a general compartment. Railways’ policy provides for concessions or free travel to certain categories of passengers, but it is not applicable to all.
Ticket purchasing options
- Railway Station Counter: The traditional way where you can go to the station and buy tickets.
- Online Booking: Through IRCTC website or mobile app.
- Ticket Vending Machine: Automated machines available at some stations.
- Railway Agent: Booking tickets through authorized agents.
Traveling in General Class: Important Information
General coach is the cheapest travel option of Indian Railways. It is suitable for travelers who want to travel on a low budget. However, there are some challenges:
- Seat not guaranteed: Seats in the General compartment are available on a first come, first served basis.
- Crowd: These coaches are often crowded, especially during festival and holiday seasons.
- Lack of facilities: Facilities like AC or reserved seats are not available.
general ticket price
The price of a general ticket depends on the distance traveled and the type of train. Generally, it is much lower than other categories. For example:
- 1-50 km: ₹10-15
- 51-100 km: ₹15-30
- 101-200 km: ₹30-50
Categories eligible for free travel
Although there is no scheme of free travel for all in general coaches, some special categories of passengers are given the facility of free or concessional travel by the Railways:
- Persons with Disabilities: Relaxation based on type and percentage of disability.
- Senior Citizens: 40% discount for men and 50% discount for women above 60 years of age.
- Freedom Fighters: Complete free travel in some categories.
- Padma Awardees: Free or concessional travel in certain categories.
Impact of rumors and prevention from them
Rumors such as free travel in general carriages can have a serious impact on society:
- Confusion and chaos: People may try to travel without tickets.
- Impact on the image of Railways: Wrong information can damage the reputation of Railways.
- Economic loss: Railways may suffer loss of revenue due to rumours.
Railway’s new initiative: Trains without reservation
Although the news of free travel in general coaches is wrong, but Railways is taking many new initiatives for the convenience of passengers. One of these is the operation of new trains without reservation.
IRCTC’s new train scheme: At a glance
| Description | Information |
| start date | January 2025 |
| number of new trains | 15 |
| Number of sleeper coaches (per train) | 13 |
| Number of General Coaches (per train) | 6 |
| beneficiary | common traveler |
| Estimated Daily Additional Passengers | about 1 lakh |
| Objective | Increasing passenger convenience and railway capacity |
Features of new Unreserved Trains
- Travel without reservation: Passengers will be able to buy tickets directly by reaching the station without prior booking.
- More seats: Each train will have 13 sleeper and 6 general coaches.
- Affordable fares: Fares are expected to remain in line with existing trains.
- Major Routes: These trains will run on major cities and routes of the country.
ticket booking process
Ticket booking process for new unreserved trains will be simplified:
- Booking at the station: Passengers will be able to buy tickets directly by going to the railway station.
- UTS App: Tickets can also be purchased through UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) app on mobile.
- Ticket Vending Machine: Tickets can also be purchased from automatic ticket machines at some stations.
Benefits for travelers
This new initiative will provide several benefits to passengers:
- Easy Booking: The convenience of traveling without reservation.
- More seats: Additional coaches will increase the chances of passengers getting seats.
- Less crowding: New trains will reduce crowding on existing trains.
- Affordable option: Inexpensive option for travelers on a budget.
Benefits for Railways
This scheme will have many benefits not only to the passengers but also to the Railways:
- Increase in Revenue: More passengers will increase the revenue of Railways.
- Better resource utilization: New trains will lead to better utilization of the rail network.
- Passenger Satisfaction: Better services will increase passenger satisfaction.
- Competitiveness: The competitiveness of railways compared to other travel modes will increase.
Disclaimer: Important Note
This article is for informational purposes only and the information provided herein is purely for general guidance. Indian Railways policies may change from time to time. The information given in this article should not be considered complete or final.
actual situation
- The news of free travel in general compartment is a complete rumor
- Railways has not announced any such official plan
- It is mandatory for passengers to buy tickets as per rules
Advice: For any official information, visit the official website of Indian Railways or contact the nearest railway station.
