Indian Railways, in an attempt to provide relief to passengers, has decided to prepare the second reservation tables 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the trains from the stations starting tomorrow.
Previously, the system was modified to two hours in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic in recent months.
In a statement, Indian Railways said that per set instructions from the pre-covid period, the first reservation box was prepared at least four hours before the trains’ scheduled departure. Thereafter, available accommodation could be reserved through the PRS counters, as well as online on a first-come, first-served basis until the second reservation charts are prepared.
The second reservation tables were prepared between 30 minutes and 5 minutes before the scheduled / rescheduled departure time of the trains. Cancellation of tickets already booked during this period was also allowed in accordance with the provisions of the Refund Rules.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, instructions were issued to change the preparation time of the second reservation box to two hours before the scheduled / rescheduled train departure time.
“As per the request of Zonal Railways to ensure the convenience of train passengers, the matter has been examined and it has been decided that the second reservation box will be prepared at least 30 minutes before the scheduled / rescheduled train departure time.” says the statement. .
“Accordingly, the ticket reservation facility, both online and at PRS ticket counters, will be available, prior to the preparation of the second chart. CRIS will make the necessary modifications to the software to reinstate this provision as of 10 October, “he said.
The Railways had suspended all passenger train services due to the imposition of the national shutdown as of March 25. However, it has resumed services in a phased fashion starting with Shramik Special trains to help stranded migrant workers reach their home states starting May 1.
* With inputs from agencies
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