Jaipur, May 01, 2025.
Indians Railways has brought in a major rule change, implemented from May 1, aimed at enhancing travel comfort and reducing coach congestion. According to the new rule, passengers holding waiting list tickets will no longer be allowed in sleeper or AC coaches.
According to the new rule, passengers whose tickets are in the waiting list will now be able to travel only in general coaches. Passengers with waiting tickets will not be allowed to travel in sleeper or AC coaches. If a passenger is found traveling in AC or sleeper coach on a waiting ticket, they will be fined. The TTE can even move them to the General compartment.
The Railways’ reasoning is that despite having waiting tickets, some passengers board AC and sleeper coaches to travel. Railway tickets booked through IRCTC are automatically cancelled if they are not confirmed. But tickets booked from the counter are still used by people to board the train. Due to this passengers with confirmed tickets do not get seats and are forced to travel standing for the entire journey.
Captain Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, explained that the rule is being implemented to ensure the convenience of confirmed passengers. There have been frequent complaints of waiting ticket holders forcibly occupying reserved seats, blocking passageways, and causing overall discomfort during long journeys.
