Train ticket reservation rules changed! Train tickets will be available 5 minutes before departure from October 10
New Delhi: Train reservation rules are set to change starting today (October 10). Now train seats will be available even five minutes before the train leaves the station as Indian Railways has decided to restore the pre-COVID system of preparing the second reservation box half an hour before departure time.
Indian Railways has decided to restore the pre-COVID system of preparing the second reservation box 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of trains from the stations. The system had been modified to two hours in the wake of the new coronavirus pandemic in recent months.
“In accordance with the request of Zonal Railways to ensure the convenience of rail passengers, the matter has been examined and it has been decided that the second reservation table will be prepared at least 30 minutes before the scheduled or rescheduled time of train departure “, the statement said.
“Accordingly, the ticket reservation function, both online and at PRS ticket counters, will be available, prior to the preparation of the second box. CRIS will make the necessary modifications in the software to restore this provision as of 10 October “he said.
It is worth mentioning that passenger train services remained suspended in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However, in an attempt to restore services, the national carrier has been operating special trains.
Ticket reservation or cancellation 5 minutes before departure:
As in the pre-COVID times, the first reservation box will be prepared 4 hours before the train departure, while the second reservation box will be prepared between 30 minutes and 5 minutes before the train departure.
This means that until the second reservation box is prepared, passengers can book train tickets. Tickets can also be canceled during this time, in accordance with the provisions of the refund rules.
If a seat, which was reserved in the first reservation box, becomes vacant due to cancellation, it can be reserved through the PRS counters and online until the second box is prepared.
Railways to run 39 more special trains
Indian Railways has been operating several special trains and ahead of the holiday season, Railways plans to start more special trains across the country. The Railroad Board recently approved the zones for 39 new special trains. These services will be introduced as special services from an early convenient date, the Ministry of Railways said.
Among the 39 trains approved by the board, most belong to the category of AC Express, Duronto, Rajdhani and Shatabdi. According to the Ministry, operations will begin soon, but the date of operation of these additional trains has not yet been declared.
