No More Last-Minute Stress for Passengers
If you’ve ever waited till the last minute to know if your train seat is confirmed, you’re not alone. Indian Railways is ultimately going to bring immense relief to the passengers. Instead of releasing seat confirmation just 4 hours before the train leaves, they’re working on a new system where this info will be shared 24 hours in advance. This change could be very helpful, especially for people coming from distant places, as it takes away the worry of not knowing what to expect.
Pilot Project Begins in Bikaner Division
A senior railway official shared that this new change has already begun testing. The trial started on June 6 in Rajasthan’s Bikaner Division.. So far, it’s going smoothly without any major issues. The team behind the project plans to continue testing for a few more weeks. If any glitches appear, they’ll fix them before rolling it out across the country.
Great Relief for Distant Travellers
One of the biggest benefits of this move is for passengers travelling from 100 km or more. Right now, many of them leave home unsure whether they’ll get a confirmed seat or not. But with the chart coming out 24 hours earlier, they can travel stress-free and better plan their trip to the station.
Tatkal Tickets Won’t Be Affected
Worried about Tatkal tickets? Don’t be. Another railway official confirmed that Tatkal bookings, which happen 48 hours before the train departs, will not be affected. So, issuing the full passenger chart a day in advance won’t interfere with ticket bookings or cause confusion.
Will There Be Final Chart Updates?
One small concern is what happens when passengers cancel after the 24-hour chart is released. Earlier, final lists helped reassign those cancelled seats. The official hinted that the Railways might still release a second or even third list later. But for now, they’re focusing on completing the pilot and making decisions based on what’s best for passengers.
Earlier Charting System Explained
For years, the system worked in two steps. The initial list was made available four hours before the train departed. The last list was released only 30 minutes before the train departed. That’s when passengers on the waiting list finally got to know their fate. Now, if the 24-hour charting system works out, it could make travelling much easier for everyone.