Train tickets will be provided 5 minutes before departure from October 10

In an attempt to restore the previous system, Indian Railways has decided that starting from October 10, seats in the trains will be available just five minutes before the departure time of the train. It has also announced the restoration of second reservation charts half an hour before the train leaves the station.

New changes to keep in mind:

1. The second reservation charts will be prepared just 30 minutes before the scheduled departure, just like during the pre-COVID time.

2. Train tickets can be booked until the second reservation chart is prepared. These charts will be prepared between 30 to five minutes before the scheduled departure from October 10.

3. Tickets can be cancelled during this time as per the railways’ refund provisions.

4. If a seat that was booked in the first chart of reservation, gets cancelled, it can be booked through PRS counters and online till the second chart is prepared. The first chart is prepared at least four hours before the departure.

Also read: Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat train to resume soon, says Union minister Jitendra Singh

The timings for the preparation of the reservation charts were changed earlier due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. However, the government is now focusing on reopening instead of locking things up. 

With the festive season coming, the railways has already announced 39 new special trains. Although their operational date and time have not been declared yet.