Indian Railways New Rule: Now you can book ticket in last minute

Indian Railways has introduced a new “current booking” feature for the Vande Bharat Express, allowing passengers to book tickets up to 15 minutes before the train’s scheduled departure from their boarding station. Indian Railways New Rule: Now you can book ticket in last minute.

This change is currently a pilot project on select trains within the Southern Railway zone and is expected to be rolled out across the country if successful.

How It Works:

This new system is a significant upgrade to the existing booking process, offering greater flexibility and efficiency:

1. Last-Minute Window: The booking window opens after the train’s final chart has been prepared, which is typically four hours before departure. This new system allows you to book tickets even after the train has left its originating station.

2. Accessing the System: Passengers can book these tickets through the official IRCTC website or the Rail Connect mobile app. The process is similar to a regular booking.

3. Real-Time Availability: The upgraded Passenger Reservation System (PRS) will display real-time seat availability. When you search for your desired route and date, you will see a “CURR_AVBL-” status next to the class of travel (Executive Class or Chair Car) if last-minute seats are available.

4. Boarding from Intermediate Stations: The key benefit of this new system is that it allows passengers to board from en-route stations. Previously, once a Vande Bharat train left its originating station, bookings were closed for all subsequent stops, even if seats were vacant. This new feature ensures that empty seats are utilized efficiently.

Key Details and Benefits:

This facility is available to all users, including normal and agent users.

Ticket Type: Only e-tickets can be booked through this system.

Confirmed Tickets Only: Only confirmed tickets will be issued. No waitlisted or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets will be booked under this scheme.

No Extra Cost: There is no additional charge for these last-minute tickets. The fare remains the same as the standard fare.

Cancellation and Changes: The standard cancellation policies of Indian Railways apply. However, it’s important to note that you cannot change your boarding point for a ticket booked under this system.

Improved Efficiency: This initiative helps the Indian Railways maximize revenue and ensures that these premium trains operate at a higher occupancy rate, especially on intermediate segments of the journey.

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