Indian Railways Rolls Out Changes to Enhance Passenger Experience

Indian Railways introduces substantial changes to its passenger reservation system aiming to increase the level of comfort for travelers. 

Starting July 1, Indian Railways has implemented a wide range of reforms aimed at improving passenger convenience and streamlining operational efficiency. The new measures were approved during a high-level review meeting.

One of the most significant changes is the advancement of reservation chart preparation to eight hours before train departure, up from the earlier four. This move is expected to assist passengers from suburban or remote areas and provide ample time for alternative arrangements if waitlist tickets remain unconfirmed.

The ministry also announced a revised waiting list policy. For air-conditioned coaches, the waiting list cap has been increased to 60% of total berth capacity, while for non-AC sleeper and second-class coaches, it has been fixed at 30%.

To tighten security and reduce tout activity, Aadhaar-based verification is now mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings via the IRCTC website and app. Beginning July 15, a two-factor authentication process, including OTP verification, will also be required. Additionally, IRCTC agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window each day.

Ticket fares have seen a slight hike—by 1 paisa per kilometre for non-AC coaches and 2 paise per kilometre for AC coaches.

In a technological leap, the Indian Railways also launched a new Passenger Reservation System (PRS) capable of handling 1.5 lakh bookings per minute, a substantial upgrade from the earlier capacity of 32,000. The revamped PRS features a multilingual, user-friendly interface and supports advanced features such as seat selection, fare calendars, and dedicated options for Divyangjan, students, and patients.