Top News

Train Ticket Booking: If you make last-minute travel plans and cannot secure a confirmed ticket, there is no need to worry anymore. The Railways has implemented a new rule for reserved trains—specifically including the Vande Bharat Express and other reserved services. Now, even after the reservation chart is prepared, if seats remain vacant, passengers can book them up to 15 minutes before the train's scheduled departure. This decision aims to ensure better utilization of vacant seats and provide passengers with the option of obtaining a confirmed ticket even at the last minute.

What is the new Railway rule?

Previously, the possibility of making new bookings was virtually eliminated once the reservation chart was prepared. However, under the new rule, if seats remain vacant after the chart is finalized, they can be booked up to 15 minutes before the train's scheduled departure time. This change will bring relief to passengers who need to travel unexpectedly or those who were unable to secure a confirmed ticket earlier.

This facility will apply to the Vande Bharat Express as well as all other reserved trains. However, a seat will only be available if it remains vacant after the reservation chart has been issued. The Railways believes this will reduce the number of empty seats on trains and provide travel opportunities to more passengers.

How to book a ticket?

Passengers can book these last-minute available seats through the following channels:

The official IRCTC website
The IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app
Railway's authorized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters
Points to remember before traveling

To avail of this facility, passengers should keep a few important things in mind:

Check seat availability on the IRCTC website or app before traveling.
Reach the station well in advance of the train's departure.
Carry a valid identity proof (ID Proof) during the journey.
Book tickets only through official Railway channels.

Benefits for the Railways

According to the Railways, this new system will allow for better utilization of vacant seats. Often, some seats would remain empty even after the reservation chart was prepared. The availability of last-minute booking facilities will allow more seats to be filled and offer greater convenience to passengers. This new rule brings relief to the millions of travelers who frequently struggled to secure confirmed tickets at the last minute. Now, if a seat is available on the train, it can be booked right up until the journey begins.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.