India News : In a major relief for millions of train passengers, Indian Railways has revised the timing for preparing reservation charts. Under the new system, the first reservation chart will now be prepared 10 hours before the train’s scheduled departure, instead of the earlier four-hour window. The decision aims to reduce last-minute confusion and help passengers plan their journeys more effectively.
According to officials from the Railway Board, trains departing between 5:00 am and 2:00 pm will have their first reservation chart prepared by 8:00 pm on the previous day. Meanwhile, trains scheduled to depart between 2:01 pm and 11:59 pm, as well as those running between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am, will have their charts prepared exactly 10 hours before departure.
Earlier, reservation charts were prepared only four hours before the train’s departure. This often caused inconvenience, especially for passengers holding waiting list or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets, as they had to wait until the last moment to know whether their tickets were confirmed. Many passengers would reach railway stations without knowing their final ticket status, leading to unnecessary stress, wasted time, and additional expenses.
Railway officials stated that the revised system has been introduced purely for passenger convenience. With earlier chart preparation, travelers will now have sufficient time to make alternative travel arrangements if their tickets remain unconfirmed. This change is expected to particularly benefit passengers traveling from distant locations and those with connecting journeys.
The Railway Ministry has issued necessary instructions to all zonal railways and divisions to ensure smooth implementation of the new rule. Officials believe this move will bring greater transparency to the reservation system and significantly improve the overall travel experience.
Passengers have welcomed the decision, calling it a long-pending reform that addresses one of the most common grievances related to train travel. The new charting schedule is expected to come into effect shortly across the country.
