Belgaum Mirror , Oct 17 : The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has announced a significant update regarding the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train bookings. Effective from November 1, this year the time limit for advance reservations will be reduced from 120 days to 60 days
This decision is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to streamline booking processes. According to new ARP passengers will be able to book train tickets up to 60 days in advance (excluding the journey date). Cancellations of tickets booked beyond the new ARP will be allowed as per the current rules. The current reservation limit of 365 days for Foreign Tourists will remain unchanged.
Over the years, the ARP for railway reservations has undergone several adjustments, ranging from 30 days to 120 days, based on operational requirements and passenger convenience. After a thorough analysis of previous reservation trends, the Ministry has determined that a 60-day ARP is the most optimal timeframe. This will reduce instances of cancellations and no-show passengers, helping the Indian Railways better manage seat utilization and plan services accordingly.
Due to the new ARP the previous 120-day period that was too long, resulting in high cancellations and wastage of berths due to passengers not turning up will be reduced. A shorter booking window will reduce instances of fraud and provide better seat availability for genuine travelers encouraging genuine bookings. This will also enable Railways to schedule special trains in advance especially during peak season.
The South Western Railway ( SWR) authorities have urged commuters from the region to avail the new reservation facililty.
