Railways reduces advance reservation period to 60 days

The Railways has reduced advance booking period for train travel from four months to two months beginning 1 May, in a bid to prevent cornering of bulk of the tickets by touts.

''The ministry of railways has decided that the advance reservation period (ARP) for booking reserved train tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) with effect from 1 May 2013,'' a railway ministry release said.

While all advance bookings of train tickets will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) beginning 1 May, all bookings done up to 30 April 2013 under the 120 days ARP will remain intact, the release said.

Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.

Currently, tatkal tickets are issued only on the production of self-attested photocopy of a valid identity proof. No agents are allowed to book tatkal tickets from 10 AM to 12 PM over the internet.

Railways conduct regular raids at rail stations to keep a check on tout menace.