Railways doubles advance booking period for tickets to 120 days

The move, to be effective from April 1, will allow passengers avoid last minute rush for reservations

The rail ministry today announced it has doubled the time period for booking reserved tickets in advance to 120 days prior to the gate of journey from the existing 60 days. The move, to be effective from April 1, will allow passengers to better plan journeys and cut down the last minute rush for reservations.

"For instance, as on 1 April 2015, for trains leaving on 28 July 2015, the reservation can be obtained for journey commencing on all days between 1 April 2015 and 28 July 2015," the rail ministry said in a statement, without disclosing the quantum of additional earnings that will accrue to the railways as increased interest income.

A senior rail ministry official, however, said the ministry would calculate the total benefit to railways based on the pattern and share of advance bookings in overall bookings once the new system comes into play. "At the moment, it is difficult to make an assumption of additional benefit from the increased booking period," he said.

The ministry clarified that there will be no change in case of some Express trains -- including Taj Express, Gomti Express and a few special trains -- where lower time limits for advance reservations are currently in force. Also, there will be no change in the case of the limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.