In a move aimed at easing travel for passengers, Indian Railways has allowed travellers to change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before a train’s departure. The revised rule, which came into effect on April 1, was announced by Southern Railway.
Earlier, passengers were required to request such changes well in advance—typically before the preparation of the first reservation chart. The new rule significantly reduces this window, offering greater last-minute flexibility.
What has changed?
Passengers can now modify their boarding station up to 30 minutes before departure, compared to the earlier requirement of applying nearly 24 hours in advance. The updated details will now appear in the second reservation chart, whereas earlier changes were reflected in the first chart prepared about four hours before departure.
Who can avail the facility?
- Only passengers with confirmed or RAC tickets are eligible
- Waitlisted ticket holders cannot use this option
- The boarding station can be changed only once
- Requests must be made before the second chart is prepared
How to change the boarding station?
Online via IRCTC:
- Log in to your account
- Go to the “Booked Tickets” section
- Select the “Change Boarding Point” option
- Choose the new station and confirm
At PRS counter:
- Visit the nearest Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter
- Carry your ticket and valid ID proof
- Request the change and collect the updated ticket
The revised rule is expected to benefit passengers dealing with last-minute schedule changes or delays in reaching their original boarding station. By allowing modifications closer to departure time, Indian Railways has taken a step towards a more flexible and passenger-friendly system.
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