India, November 1, 2024: The Indian Railways’ reduced advance reservation period of 60 days, down from the previous 120 days, officially comes into effect today. This policy change, outlined in a circular issued on October 16, 2024, applies to all bookings made starting today, with the 60-day window excluding the travel date. This adjustment marks a shift from the previous policy set in March 2015, which had extended the reservation period to 120 days.
While this new 60-day advance booking period applies to most trains, certain daytime express services like the Taj Express and Gomti Express will retain their shorter reservation windows. Additionally, the special 365-day booking window for foreign tourists remains unchanged.
Benefits of the 60-Day Advance Reservation Period:
The reduction in reservation time is expected to provide several advantages for both passengers and Indian Railways:
- Reduced cancellations and empty seats: Shorter booking periods encourage passengers to book closer to their travel dates, reducing the number of cancellations and empty seats.
- Lower no-show rates: The new policy aims to lower no-show rates, as passengers are likely to commit to travel within a 60-day window.
- Prevents ticket fraud: The shorter period will help curb fraud and impersonation in ticket purchases.
- Discourages ticket hoarding: By reducing the advance period, the policy aims to deter non-travellers from hoarding tickets.
- No impact on general class tickets: This change does not affect general class ticket purchases.
Enhanced demand forecasting: The 60-day booking window allows Indian Railways to better forecast demand and optimize train planning
This adjustment aligns with Indian Railways’ continuous efforts to streamline its services and improve travel experiences for passengers across the country.
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