Indian Railways reduces advance reservation period to 60 days from November 1, 2024

In a recent development, the Ministry of Railways has announced a major change in the advance reservation period (ARP) for train bookings. Starting from November 1, 2024, passengers will now be able to book their train tickets up to 60 days in advance, a reduction from the current 120-day limit. This decision was communicated through Commercial Circular No. 10 of 2024, issued on October 16, 2024, by the Railway Board.

Key Changes to Advance Reservation:

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  • Effective Date: The new ARP of 60 days will come into effect from November 1, 2024.
  • Bookings Before October 31, 2024: All bookings made before this date under the existing 120-day ARP will remain valid.
  • Cancellations: Cancellations for bookings made beyond the new 60-day ARP will still be allowed, ensuring flexibility for passengers.

Exemptions:

Certain express trains with shorter ARP limits, such as Taj Express and Gomti Express, will remain unaffected by this change. The time limits for these trains, which are already lower than 60 days, will continue to remain in force. Additionally, the 365-day booking limit for foreign tourists will also stay unchanged.

The Railway Board emphasized that these changes will be widely publicized to ensure passengers are informed well in advance of the implementation.

Official Statement:

The announcement was signed by Sanjay Manocha, Director of Passenger Marketing, Railway Board, who confirmed that these changes have been made in accordance with internal guidelines and in consideration of passenger convenience.

For further information, passengers are advised to contact the nearest railway station or visit the official Indian Railways website.