Indian Railways may soon bring a major relief for passengers struggling with waiting list and RAC tickets.
In a significant move, the Railways is working on a system that could allow travelers to book confirmed berths even after a train has started its journey.
If implemented successfully, passengers will no longer have to depend entirely on waiting lists or hope for last-minute seat allotments.
Any vacant berth available during the journey could be booked instantly through the railway system.
How the new system will work
To make this possible, the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is upgrading the handheld devices used by Traveling Ticket Examiners (TTEs).
A new feature called “Confirmed Berth Booking” is being added to these devices.
The Railways has also started providing technical training to commercial department officials and TTEs to ensure the system functions smoothly.
The goal is to make berth allocation faster, more transparent, and completely digital.
Vacant seats will be visible online in real time
Under the proposed system, if a passenger with a confirmed ticket fails to board the train, the TTE can immediately mark that berth as vacant on their handheld terminal.
Once updated, the information will be reflected live on the railway booking portal and the IRCTC website.
This means passengers boarding from upcoming stations can check availability and book the vacant berth online during the journey itself.
For example, if a seat remains vacant on a train like the Saptkranti Superfast Express, passengers boarding from stations further along the route could instantly reserve that seat online.
A big relief for RAC and waiting list passengers
Currently, TTEs can allot vacant berths inside the train, but these seats are not displayed on the online booking system.
As a result, many passengers remain unaware of available accommodation.
The new digital system aims to change that by making vacant seats visible in real time.
This could significantly improve the chances of getting a confirmed berth and reduce the uncertainty faced by RAC and waiting-list passengers.
What it means for train travelers
If the system is rolled out across the railway network, it could become one of the biggest passenger-friendly reforms in recent years.
The move is expected to make train travel more convenient, improve seat utilization, and bring greater transparency to the ticket booking process.
For millions of passengers who frequently travel with waiting tickets, the ability to book a confirmed berth during the journey could prove to be a game-changer.
