NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, APR 1
In a major passenger-friendly move, Indian Railways has eased the rules for changing boarding points, allowing travellers to modify their boarding station up to the preparation of the second/final reservation chart—typically 30 minutes before departure.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at ensuring a “hassle-free travel experience” while offering greater flexibility to passengers facing last-minute changes in plans.
- Passenger-first reform allows boarding station change till second/final chart
- New rule effective April 1, 2026 via PRS counters & IRCTC Rail Connect
- “Hassle-free travel” push as Railways simplifies last-minute flexibility
“From 24 Hours to 30 Minutes: A Big Shift”
Under the earlier system, passengers had to request a boarding point change at least 24 hours before departure, which would reflect only in the first reservation chart.
“Now, passengers can change their boarding point up to just 30 minutes before the train departs, aligning with the second/final chart preparation,” officials explained, highlighting the shift as a significant convenience upgrade.
What This Means for Passengers
The facility is meant for travellers who have booked tickets from one station but wish to board the train at another en route station.
Railways clarified:
“This passenger-centric initiative ensures greater flexibility without compromising operational efficiency.”
Key Conditions You Must Know
- Applicable only for Confirmed or RAC tickets
- Not allowed for waitlisted tickets
- Boarding point can be changed only once
- After change, passenger must board from revised station only
- Missing boarding at revised station may mark berth as “Not Turned Up (NTA)” and reallocate it
How to Change Boarding Point
Passengers can place requests through:
- Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters
- Online via IRCTC Rail Connect
Why This Matters
With the first reservation chart now prepared 8–10 hours before departure (instead of earlier 4 hours), extending flexibility till the final chart ensures passengers are not penalised for last-minute changes.
Railways summed it up:
“The move reflects our continued commitment to making train travel more passenger-friendly and convenient.”
