Indian Railways to Finalise Passenger Charts 24 Hours in Advance: New Trial Policy Explained

Indian Railways Launches 24-Hour Advance Charting Trial: Major Relief for Waitlisted Passengers

In a move set to transform train travel planning across India, Indian Railways has introduced a pilot project to prepare final reservation charts 24 hours before a train’s departure — a major shift from the current practice of finalising charts just 4 hours prior to departure. This trial has begun in the Bikaner Division and could be expanded nationwide if successful.

The Railway Ministry hopes this update will help millions of passengers, especially those holding waitlisted tickets, by reducing last-minute travel anxiety.

Why Is Indian Railways Testing Early Chart Preparation?

Currently, passengers with waitlisted tickets often remain uncertain about their travel status until just hours before departure, complicating travel arrangements and connecting journeys.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at the Railway Board, explained:

“If passengers know their confirmed status 24 hours in advance, they can plan their journey more confidently. This move directly addresses the concerns of travellers who currently wait until the last few hours for updates.”

What Happens After the 24-Hour Chart is Prepared?

• Once charts are finalised 24 hours before departure, any cancellations will result in substantial penalties.

• Seats vacated after cancellations will be filled via the Current Booking system.

• The pilot phase is limited to the Bikaner Division but may roll out nationwide after evaluating passenger feedback.
  
  

Updated Cancellation & Refund Policy

With this change, passengers must be aware of the revised cancellation penalties:

This policy emphasises the need for passengers to finalise travel decisions early to avoid higher cancellation fees.

How This Impacts B2B Travel Agents, Corporates & Consolidators

For B2B travel agents, consolidators, and corporate planners, the 24-hour chart preparation system offers both advantages and new challenges:

Opportunities:

• Easier management of corporate group bookings with earlier confirmation.

• Less last-minute stress for business travellers and connecting flight bookings.

• Improved resource planning for agents managing bulk or seasonal reservations.
  
  

Challenges:

• Need for prompt cancellation decisions to minimise financial losses.

• Increased dependency on current booking systems to fill last-minute vacant seats.
  
  

A Step Towards Smarter Travel Planning

The Indian Railways’ 24-hour advance charting could set a new benchmark in train travel predictability, aligning better with international rail systems. While the financial penalties for late cancellations may appear stringent, they are designed to optimise seat utilisation and discourage speculative bookings that block genuine travellers.

If this trial receives positive passenger feedback, it could soon become a permanent feature across the Indian Railways network.

Stay Connected with the Travel Community.

Follow our updates at blog.agentbazar.in and transform how you support your clients at every stage of travel.