Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Ju 29: In a significant move aimed at improving the passenger experience, Indian Railways has announced a new reservation chart preparation policy, with charts now set to be finalized 8 hours before train departure, doubling the time from the current 4-hour window.
The change, announced on Sunday, follows a review by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who emphasized the need for a smarter, transparent, and more efficient ticketing system. The new rule will be rolled out in phases to ensure seamless implementation across zones.
Key Highlights:
• Chart preparation for trains departing before 2 p.m. will now take place the previous night at 9 p.m.
• The move is aimed at reducing uncertainty for waitlisted passengers, allowing more time for them to plan alternatives.
• It especially benefits travellers from remote or suburban regions who often face logistical challenges in accessing real-time ticket status.
PRS System Overhaul:
Alongside this reform, Indian Railways is revamping its Passenger Reservation System (PRS). The upgraded system, being developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), is expected to be completed by December 2025.
Features of the new PRS:
• Capacity to handle 10x current ticket load
• Support for 1.5 lakh bookings per minute
• Capability for 40 lakh ticket enquiries per minute
• Multilingual interface and fare calendars
• Custom seat preferences and options tailored for Divyangjan, students, and patients
Tatkal Ticketing Security Boost:
From July 1, only authenticated users will be permitted to book Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC platform. By the end of July, all Tatkal bookings will require OTP-based authentication, using either Aadhaar or a government ID linked via DigiLocker.
The series of reforms underlines the ministry's push toward enhancing predictability and digital security, making the rail booking process more user-friendly and resilient.