Indian Railways continues to experiment with reservation charts as it has decided to further advance the time for preparation of the first chart. The reservation chart would now be ready a day before the departure of trains from the originating station. The decision by Railway Board for the changes is to ease the uncertainty about confirmation of travel tickets for passengers.

 

The changes are going to come into effect from journey commencing on December 30, 2025, onwards, stated the instruction from Zonal Headquarters to respective divisions. As per the new circular issued by Passenger Marketing Cell at Railway Board, it is informed that the first reservation chart is going to be prepared by 20.00 hrs of previous day for trains whose departure is slated between 05.01 hrs to 14.00 hrs the next day. For the trains slated for departure between 14.01 hrs to 23.59 hrs, the first reservation charts are going to be finalised atleast 10 hours in advance, said the directives to Zonal Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCM). Also, the 10 hours deadline is also fixed for trains whose departure is slated from 00.00 hrs to 05.00 hrs.

 

As to second reservation charts, the existing 8-hour window remains as it is, clarified the circular. The second charting is done at intermediate station between originating and destination on the train route. The reasoning advanced by the Board is that advance charting would help in removing anxiety of the travellers who have to traverse long distance to reach railway stations. Many a times people from remote locations require head start to reach the railway station in time to catch the train. So with knowledge about confirmation of tickets well in advance, they can now stay relaxed as they are aware of status of their travel and need not opt for alternative journey plan. Just a few months back, Indian Railways brought about complete change in the way first reservation charts were prepared, they are now ready 8 hours before the start of the trains from originating station.

 

The decision stemmed from short time the travellers would get to locate alternate travel mode or train in case their original tickets remained waitlisted. So the Board, after studying the booking pattern, decided to provide extra buffer for travellers to opt for alternative travel plan in case the tickets do not get confirmed. Prior to that at divisions, the first reservation charts used to be prepared 4-hours before departure of trains. Railways watchers however term the changes in reservation charting as mere cosmetic saying the planners need to instead focus on the spot requirement of travellers. Vinod Chaturvedi , ex-railwayman, was of view that any how the first or second charting benefit accrues to not more than 2 per cent of travellers.

 

The requirement of travellers at present is that Railways need to evolve a mechanism so that any one can get confirmed seat even in case they book the ticket at last moment. At present, ordinary travellers gets disillusioned as even after booking tickets well in advance, the wait list does not alter many a times leaving them dejected. Majority of times they have to wait till last moment when people who had allegedly cornered the tickets goes for cancellation and then only the people gets relief.

 

So Railways has to sail with the current needs and overhaul its policy of ticketing rather than confining to such measures to which common travellers have no concern or limited knowledge. However there is another view as to decision about advancing charting time, the people in know of matter stated that it was taken to target the hoarders, persons who corner ticket on opening dates with a view to make fast buck by selling it to passengers in rush. They further contended that the advancing of time for first reservation chart would discourage people who indulge in black marketing of tickets.