New Delhi: In a move aimed at providing greater flexibility and reducing last-minute travel stress, Indian Railways has proposed allowing passengers to change their boarding station until the preparation of the final reservation chart, instead of the first chart as per current rules.
At present, passengers are permitted to modify their boarding point only until the first reservation chart is prepared, which is usually finalized 10 to 20 hours before a train’s scheduled departure. This often creates difficulties for travelers whose plans change close to the journey date. Under the proposed system, passengers would be able to make this change much closer to departure, offering a significant boost in convenience.
Rishi Kumar, who frequently travels between New Delhi and his native village in Bihar, welcomed the proposal. “This step will help long-distance travelers and tourists in particular. Many people book tickets well in advance, but plans can change later. Having the option to board from a more convenient station saves both time and money,” he said.
Another passenger, Kavita Sharma from Uttar Pradesh, said the additional flexibility would be especially helpful for families. “Traveling with children and luggage is not easy. If we can board from a nearby station instead of a major junction, it makes the journey much smoother,” she explained.
How the Proposed System Will Work
According to railway officials, passengers will be allowed to select any intermediate station between the original source and destination as their new boarding point, provided the train halts at that station. Once the boarding point is changed, passengers must board from the updated station. Boarding from the original station after making the change may result in loss of the reserved seat.
A senior railway official explained that misunderstandings about boarding rules often lead to inconvenience. “When a passenger changes the boarding station, the seat up to the new boarding point may be reassigned to another traveler. If the original passenger attempts to board earlier, the seat may no longer be available,” the official said.
Ticket examiners will now be able to verify real-time seat status using handheld devices, allowing for more accurate decision-making during checks.
Key Rules Passengers Should Know
- Requests to change the boarding station can be made through computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, the IRCTC website, or by calling Railway Helpline 139.
- The facility applies to both online and counter-booked tickets.
- No refund will be provided for unused portions of the journey.
- If the boarding point is changed within 24 hours of departure, refunds are generally not allowed, except in special cases such as train cancellation, coach non-attachment, or delays exceeding three hours.
Passengers have been advised to understand the rules carefully before opting for a boarding point change, as incorrect usage may lead to denied entry into reserved coaches.
If implemented, the proposal is expected to significantly improve travel planning for millions of rail passengers, especially those undertaking long-distance journeys.