Indian Railways has rolled out a reservation-free travel facility in unreserved coaches on select intercity and regional routes. The initiative, covering major corridors such as Mumbai–Pune, Delhi–Jaipur, and Kolkata–Patna, is designed to offer flexibility to passengers unable to secure confirmed tickets amid rising travel demand.
Officials said the scheme reflects Railways’ broader effort to make short-distance mobility more inclusive and convenient. With unreserved travel permitted on identified trains, passengers can board designated coaches without advance booking, offering a lifeline for daily commuters, students, and low-income travellers. However, this flexibility will apply only to specific services, and boarding non-designated trains without valid tickets may invite penalties. Under the revised travel plan, popular services such as the Mumbai–Pune Superfast Train, Delhi–Jaipur Express, Hyderabad–Vijayawada Express, and Kolkata–Patna Intercity will now operate with general compartments open for unreserved passengers. The initiative also extends to regional connectors such as Chennai–Bengaluru, Ahmedabad–Surat, and Bhopal–Indore routes — all of which witness high footfall during business hours and festive periods.
Indicative fares have been fixed at affordable levels, reinforcing the Indian Railways’ goal of providing equitable mobility. For instance, general travel on the Delhi–Jaipur Express will cost Rs 150, while the Mumbai–Pune Superfast service is priced at Rs 120 in unreserved class. Officials said such pricing aligns with Railways’ sustainability drive, as mass mobility through trains reduces dependence on road-based travel and lowers carbon emissions per passenger. The timing of the announcement coincides with a surge in domestic travel ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, during which additional trains are being deployed across major zones. Railway authorities noted that the move is both a short-term relief and a long-term measure towards optimising seat utilisation and encouraging the public to choose railways over private vehicles for regional travel.
Industry experts have welcomed the decision, calling it a “people-centric reform” that complements India’s sustainable transport ambitions. As the national transporter focuses on balancing revenue with accessibility, unreserved travel is likely to serve as a critical link between affordability and mass mobility, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. While the initiative is expected to ease congestion and support equitable access, officials emphasised that passengers should confirm train eligibility before travel. By doing so, the Railways hopes to achieve smoother operations and ensure passenger safety as it modernises services for India’s growing mobility needs.
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