As Covid-19 cases fall, Indian Railways lifts curbs on unreserved tickets

In regular trains, general coaches will now be earmarked as reserved or unreserved as these were prevailing before Covid. Representation pic

As the nation gradually unlocks itself amid the falling number of Covid cases, the Indian Railways has decided to lift the restrictions on unreserved tickets. However, there is no word on the restoration of senior citizen concessions or unreserved trains.

"Yes, unreserved tickets have now been opened up for the general public. But not immediately. The existing unreserved coaches on trains had become "reserved only" during Covid. And reserved tickets have been booked on these trains for the next 120 days. Once the period is over, these coaches will be available for general passengers and unreserved tickets will be available. This will be different for different trains. In certain cases of no reserved bookings, unreserved tickets may be available," Central Railway chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said.

A circular by the railways explains, "In regular trains, general coaches shall be earmarked as reserved or unreserved as these were prevailing during the pre-pandemic period. For example, if a train had four unreserved general coaches during pre-pandemic period, but are now being operated as 2S reserved class, these shall be restored as unreserved coaches, but not immediately. It will be with effect from Advance Reservation Period [120 days hence] or no booking date [date from which no passenger has booked a reserved ticket in 2S class]."

Since the pandemic, the railways had been running fully reserved ‘special trains' to prevent crowding. Even the general second-class coaches, mostly used by people on short distances and from economically backward sections, had been converted into reserved bogies.