Indian Railways has announced a significant change in its Advance Reservation Period (ARP) policy, reducing the current 120-day window to 60 days. This new rule will take effect from November 1, 2024, and applies to all train bookings in India, except for the day of the journey. The Ministry of Railways introduced this change in an effort to promote genuine travelers and improve overall rail travel planning in the country.
The Reason Behind the Change
The decision to shorten the ARP comes in response to growing concerns about the high rate of cancellations and no-shows. Data revealed that about 21% of reservations made within the 61 to 120-day booking period were eventually canceled.
Additionally, 5% of passengers neither canceled their tickets nor showed up for their journey. This “no-show” trend has caused significant disruption in the availability of reserved berths, leading to wastage and inefficiencies in travel planning.
A railway spokesperson highlighted that this move will enable the Railway Board to better gauge genuine demand for train travel. With fewer speculative bookings and cancellations, Indian Railways aims to optimize the allocation of seats and offer a more accurate reflection of actual travel demand.
Better Travel Planning and Special Trains
One of the key objectives of the reduced ARP is to enhance the availability of tickets for genuine passengers. By lowering the window for reservations, travelers are expected to have more clarity in their travel plans, reducing the uncertainty that often leads to last-minute cancellations. With fewer canceled and unused tickets, Indian Railways will be in a better position to plan special trains during peak seasons, improving overall service efficiency.
The change is also expected to combat fraud and impersonation, which occur when passengers fail to show up for their reserved journeys. Often, these unused tickets are exploited by unauthorized persons or agents, undermining the integrity of the reservation system.
While most train services will adhere to the new 60-day ARP, certain exceptions remain. Daytime express trains, such as the Taj Express and Gomti Express, will continue with their existing shorter reservation windows. Additionally, the 365-day ARP for foreign tourists remains unchanged, allowing international visitors to book well in advance for their journeys across India.
It is important to note that all bookings made under the previous 120-day ARP policy before October 31, 2024, will remain valid. Passengers who have already booked tickets for travel beyond the new 60-day limit will still be able to cancel their reservations if needed.
Impact on Passengers and the Railways
The decision to reduce the ARP to 60 days is expected to provide multiple benefits for both passengers and Indian Railways. For travelers, the new policy offers better clarity and certainty regarding travel plans, minimizing the chances of booking speculative tickets far in advance. As a result, the system will see fewer cancellations and more efficient seat allocation, ensuring that more seats are available for those who genuinely need them.
