Indian Railways has rolled out its much-anticipated Round Trip Scheme, aimed at ensuring seamless travel planning while optimising train occupancy during peak festival seasons. Officials stated that the initiative is designed to redistribute passenger traffic over an extended period during high-demand periods such as Diwali and Chhath, while enhancing utilisation of both regular and special trains.
Under the scheme, passengers can avail a 20 percent discount on the base fare of return journeys booked through the official IRCTC platform. The Ministry of Railways confirmed that booking for the scheme began on 14 August 2025, for onward journeys scheduled between 13 October and 26 October 2025. Return journey tickets can subsequently be booked using the “connecting journey” feature for travel between 17 November and 1 December 2025. Notably, the advance reservation period will not apply to the return leg. Officials emphasised that the Round Trip Scheme provides a simplified booking flow. Passengers can select the “Festival Round Trip Scheme” option from the trains menu on the IRCTC website or mobile application. Onward journey tickets must align with the defined travel window, after which the system allows booking of return tickets at discounted rates. The feature ensures that the source-destination pair, travel class, and passenger list remain consistent across both legs of the journey, facilitating streamlined ticketing and passenger management.
The scheme has been carefully structured to encourage early bookings and reduce last-minute congestion. By linking onward and return journeys, Indian Railways aims to enhance operational efficiency, optimise coach utilisation, and provide passengers with financial incentives for flexible scheduling. Officials also highlighted that the electronic reservation slip for both journeys will display the PNR details for easy reference, ensuring transparency and clarity throughout the process. Experts believe that the Round Trip Scheme marks a strategic step in modernising passenger services while addressing seasonal travel surges. The initiative not only reduces the strain on peak-day ticket availability but also promotes sustainable travel practices by maximising the utilisation of existing train capacity. Analysts noted that such targeted interventions could improve passenger satisfaction while maintaining operational efficiency across the national rail network.
By integrating discounts with simplified booking procedures, Indian Railways demonstrates a focus on enhancing the travel experience while leveraging technology for effective capacity management. The Round Trip Scheme exemplifies how strategic scheduling and digital solutions can balance passenger demand, operational needs, and cost efficiency, particularly during high-traffic festival periods.
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