Indian Railways is set to introduce a significant change in its boarding rules that will directly impact millions of passengers. Under the new system, if a passenger fails to board the train at their designated boarding station, the Ticket Examiner (TTE) will no longer wait until the next station before reallocating the seat.
As soon as the train departs from the boarding station and the passenger is not found occupying their seat, the berth will be immediately marked vacant.
During ticket checks, the TTE will record a “not turned up” entry on a handheld device, confirming that the passenger did not board at the designated station. Once this entry is made, the system will automatically release the seat, leaving no discretion with the TTE to hold it.
Relief for Waiting List and RAC Passengers
The new rule is expected to significantly benefit passengers travelling on waiting list and Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets. Once a seat is declared vacant, it will be instantly allocated to the next eligible passenger on the waiting list. The passenger will receive an immediate confirmation via SMS on their registered mobile number.
CRIS to Update Railway Software
To facilitate the change, the Ministry of Railways has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to make the necessary software upgrades. Once implemented, the revised system will be rolled out across trains nationwide, ensuring more efficient and transparent seat management.
Passengers Urged to Exercise Caution
Railway data indicates that around 3 to 5 percent of passengers on each train either cancel their journey or fail to reach their boarding station on time. Under the new rules, such passengers will need to be extra cautious.
Passengers planning to board the train from a station other than the one mentioned on their ticket must change their boarding station at least 24 hours before chart preparation. Failure to do so will result in the seat being allotted to another passenger, with no scope for reclaiming it later.
According to railway officials, the move is a major step towards digitalisation. It aims to make the seat allocation process fully transparent, reduce delays, and minimise complaints related to vacant berths. Unlike earlier, when waiting list passengers often faced uncertainty due to delays in seat release, real-time updates will now ensure quicker and smoother allotment of available seats.
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