Delhi: The Railway Board has announced a reduction in the advance reservation period for train tickets from the current 120 days to 60 days, effective from November 1. This change applies to all long-distance train services. However, tickets already booked for dates beyond the 60-day window remain valid, and passengers will not face any issues with cancellations.
The board clarified that the advance reservation period (ARP) for intercity express trains operating during the day will remain unchanged as it is already lower than 60 days. Historically, ARP ranged between 30 and 60 days, but it was extended to 120 days on March 25, 2015. The 120-day window was previously in place between 1981-1985 and 2012-2013.
According to the Ministry of Railways, around 21% of passengers who book tickets four months in advance end up canceling, and an additional 4-5% fail to cancel or travel. This leads to wasted berths, unauthorized travel, and potential misuse by railway staff. The ministry explained that the reduction in ARP is aimed at providing genuine passengers with a fair chance to secure tickets.
