Indian Railways has begun a crucial pilot project to issue final passenger reservation charts 24 hours before train departures. The move, trialled in the Bikaner Division of Western Railway, is designed to reduce uncertainty and offer passengers better planning flexibility, especially those travelling from smaller or distant towns.
In a country where over 23 million passengers depend on trains daily, even small systemic tweaks can transform public experiences. The shift in the charting system from four hours before departure to a full day earlier could be that long-awaited reform that prioritises passengers over processes. The pilot, launched on 6 June, represents a significant departure from the status quo. Traditionally, the first chart was prepared four hours before a train’s scheduled departure — or the night before for early morning trains. A final chart, with updates based on real-time cancellations or unsold quotas, followed 30 minutes before departure. This created a late-stage scramble for many, especially those on waitlists or boarding from intermediate stops.
According to senior railway officials, the Bikaner initiative will serve as a litmus test for nationwide implementation. “The core idea is to de-stress long-distance travel,” explained one official familiar with the rollout. “By issuing charts earlier, we allow passengers to take informed decisions about their journey without rushing to the station in uncertainty.” The broader implication is about empowering passengers. For those with waitlisted tickets, a final list a day before departure means ample time to rebook, cancel, or seek alternatives. No longer must families or professionals put their travel hopes in limbo until the last few hours.
The initiative is under week-long observation and will be assessed for feasibility, scalability, and operational impact. If successful, other divisions may follow suit in the coming months, eventually replacing the current model nationwide. However, during the pilot phase, core booking structures — including waitlist logic, RAC upgrades, and quota reallocations — will remain untouched.
In parallel with the charting overhaul, the Railways has introduced another significant policy shift — an Aadhaar-based verification system for Tatkal bookings. This reform is aimed at curbing ticket fraud and giving genuine passengers a fairer chance. Under the new rules, users whose IRCTC accounts are linked with Aadhaar will enjoy a 10-minute priority booking window before authorised agents and touts can access the system.
While these reforms reflect a modernisation drive, they also signal the Railways’ commitment to building a more inclusive, efficient and equitable public transport backbone — a critical necessity as cities expand and mobility needs grow. Trains remain the most accessible and affordable intercity transport in India, especially for lower-income households and smaller cities often underserved by air and highway infrastructure.
If the Bikaner trial proves successful, it may also influence how Indian cities think about transit equity and smart governance. Public transport is increasingly becoming a policy tool to address climate, gender and class inequalities in cities. Making train travel more predictable and humane isn’t just a matter of efficiency — it’s a matter of social justice and environmental responsibility. The journey to zero net carbon urban systems starts with giving commuters clarity and comfort — not anxiety at the ticket counter. And by advancing train charting to a full day ahead, the Railways may have just taken a sustainable step in the right direction.
As the Railway Board awaits feedback from the Bikaner experiment, all eyes are on how such small but thoughtful reforms can ripple out to create big gains in civic life. Whether the change goes national or stays a regional experiment, the intent is clear: the Railways is listening — and evolving.
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Indian Railways Trials 24 Hour Chart System
