Ticket Hoarding: New 60-Day Booking Rule

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

To combat ticket hoarding, Indian Railways will implement a 60-day advance booking period starting November 1. This decision aims to reduce fraudulent misuse of early reservations. Railway officials believe this change will help eliminate ticket hoarders.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Indian Railways has taken a significant step to control ticket hoarding. Starting November 1, the advance booking period will be reduced from four months to just 60 days. This change is expected to help minimize the fraudulent misuse of early train reservations.

Over the years, the advance reservation period has been revised multiple times, ranging from 30 to 120 days. Between 1981 and 1985, when passengers were first allowed to book tickets 120 days in advance, the cancellation rate soared to around 21 percent. Additionally, about 4-5 percent of ticket holders did not show up for their trains. A senior railway officer stated, “There is a tendency to hold many tickets and then cancel or not show up. This stops many passengers from using the trains.”

In cases where individuals neither cancel nor show up, cheating becomes prevalent. This could involve impersonation or illegal dealings between passengers and staff. Conversely, a shorter booking period means fewer people will book tickets too early and then cancel them.

Officials believe that observing real demand due to fewer cancellations and no-shows will help Indian Railways plan extra trains during busy seasons. The new rule will remain in effect until further notice, with officials monitoring the outcomes. Passengers are advised to use the new 60-day window for efficient travel planning.

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