Indian Railways has announced a major policy shift to increase passenger comfort and simplify travel. From May 1, 2025, waitlisted passengers will not be permitted to board sleeper and air-conditioned (AC) coaches. The move for IRCTC Ticket Booking is intended to minimize congestion and provide a seamless experience for confirmed ticket holders.
According to the new rules, waitlisted ticket holders – whether booked online from IRCTC or bought at railway counters . Also will need to travel in unreserved general coaches. The step is meant to avoid unauthorized occupation of reserved compartments, but confirmed passengers would be able to travel without hindrance.
Enforcement and Penalties
To implement the new regulations, railway officials will impose stern penalties. Waitlisted ticket holders traveling in sleeper or AC coaches will be charged ₹250 for sleeper class and ₹440 for AC class. They will also be required to pay the fare from the point of boarding to the next station. Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) will check the implementation of these rules and violators will be directed to deboard at the next station.
Changes in ticket reservation procedures
In addition to the limits on waitlisted travel, Indian Railways has cut back the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) from 120 days to 60 days. That is, tickets can now be reserved two months in advance rather than four months. Moreover, IRCTC has introduced one-time password (OTP) authentication for online reservations to provide increased security against fraudulent transactions.
Although these initiatives serve to enhance travelling conditions for the confirmed ticket passengers. They pose inconvenience for travellers who have only waitlisted tickets. The travelling public is hereby advised to prepare early and book confirmed tickets so that they don’t incur trouble while in travel.
Through these new policies, Indian Railways aims to improve the convenience of the passengers and avoid congestion. Keeping these in mind will prepare passengers for travel and make it convenient to travel through the entire network of the railway. With the development of the railway system, following these regulations is crucial for a smooth trip.
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