Railways allows booking, cancellation of train tickets till 5 minutes before departure

In a major relief to passengers, Indian Railways has allowed booking and cancellation of tickets till five minutes before departure of train. new rule will apply to all special trains running from October 10.

system of preparing second reservation chart 30 minutes before train departs, which was t being followed during lockdown period, has also been restored by railways. Due to COVID-19 outbreak, time for preparing a second reservation chart was shifted to two hours before scheduled departure. first reservation chart is prepared at least four hours before departure of train.

“As per request of Zonal Railways for ensuring convenience of rail passengers, matter has been examined and it has been decided that second reservation chart shall be prepared at least 30 minutes before scheduled/rescheduled time of departure of train,” a statement issued by  Indian Railways said.

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“Accordingly, ticket booking facility, both online and on PRS ticket counters, shall be available, before preparation of second chart. CRIS will make necessary modifications in software accordingly so as to restore this provision with effect from October 10,” it ded.

Railways allows 39 new special trains

All passenger trains services were suspended following a nationwide Coronavirus-induced lockdown from March 25. railways resumed services in a staggered manner from May 1. Recently, zones got approval to run 39 new special trains. se services will be introduced as special services from an early convenient date, Ministry of Railways said.

This anuncement comes after railway board chairman Vid Kumar Yav said that Indian Railways plans to run over 200 trains during festive season between October 15 and vember 30. Presently, employees of state and Central governments, nationalised and private banks, government PSUs, pharma companies, dabbawalas, staff of foreign consulates and high commissions have been permitted to travel on special suburban trains. 

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(with inputs from ncies)