If you’ve ever scrambled to check your waitlist status just hours before a train departs, there’s good news rolling down the tracks. In a move aimed at easing last-minute travel chaos, Indian Railways has launched a new initiative: preparing the final reservation chart 24 hours in advance, instead of the traditional 2.5 to 4 hours before departure.
This change, now on trial in the Bikaner division since June 6, could be a game-changer for millions of rail passengers especially those relying on Tatkal bookings or making spontaneous travel plans.
For Indian Railways, this also means better logistical foresight — enabling them to add coaches, deploy clone trains, or make alternate arrangements based on real-time demand. 
What stays the same? Everything else. Tatkal bookings, quotas, and reservation protocols remain untouched. The only thing shifting is the timing of the final chart — a small change with the potential for a big impact.
As per the information, The concept was sparked during Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s visit to Bikaner on May 21. Local officials suggested the early charting system to reduce last-minute anxiety for travelers. The Minister greenlit the proposal on the spot, leading to its swift rollout as a pilot program.
So, could this simple time shift finally bring peace of mind to the train-tossed traveler? And now, passengers have a whole extra day to plan for it.
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