The Indian Railways has decided to prepare the second reservation chart half an hour before scheduled departure, for convenience of passengers. This was the system in use before the COVID-19 lockdown and stoppage of regular passenger services.
Due to pandemic, instructions were issued to shift the time of preparation of second reservation chart to 2 hours before scheduled/ rescheduled time of departure of trains.
IR has decided to return to the original system of preparation of second reservation charts from 10.10.2020.
As per established pre COVID period instructions, the first reservation chart was prepared at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. Thereafter, the available accommodation could be booked across PRS counters as well as through internet on the first-come-first-serve basis till preparation of second reservation charts.
Second reservation charts were prepared between 30 minutes to 5 minutes before scheduled/rescheduled time of departure of trains. Cancellation of already booked tickets was also permitted during this period as per provisions of Refund Rules.
Accordingly, ticket booking facility, both online and on PRS ticket counters, shall be available, before preparation of the second chart.