If you’re a frequent traveler on Indian Railways and often find it challenging to book reservations or secure tickets, there’s great news for you. Indian Railways has introduced a significant update designed to make travel easier. Indian Railways will now offer an option for unreserved travel on specific routes, aimed at helping those who struggle to find seats on popular trains and prefer more flexible travel options for short distances.
With this new initiative, travelers will now have the opportunity to travel in general or unreserved coaches on selected trains without the need for prior reservations. However, it’s important to note that this service is not available on all trains. Travelers should verify whether their train falls under the unreserved category before boarding, as traveling on trains that do not participate in this scheme may lead to fines or being asked to disembark.
Also Read: Indian Railways To Introduce Special Printed Blanket Covers In Select AC Coaches
Which Trains Are Eligible For This Indian Railways Scheme
If you’re curious about the train options available under the new scheme, it’s important to know that, at this time, Indian Railways has introduced short-distance trains only. Trains included in this scheme are:
- Mumbai–Pune Superfast Train: It operates from Mumbai at 7:30 AM, reaching Pune by 11:00 AM, completing the journey in about 3.5 hours.
- The Hyderabad–Vijayawada Express: It departs from Hyderabad at 7:30 AM and arrives in Vijayawada by 2:00 PM.
Additional routes included in this initiative are the Ahmedabad–Surat Superfast Train, Patna–Gaya Express, Jaipur–Ajmer Superfast Train, Chennai–Bengaluru Express, and Bhopal–Indore Intercity.
Ticket prices have been made public, with costs for the Delhi–Jaipur Express starting at Rs 150 for general tickets, while the Mumbai–Pune service begins at Rs 120.
Passengers are advised to check the eligibility of trains for unreserved travel before boarding, as travelling without a valid ticket on restricted trains can result in fines.
In 2025, Indian Railways implemented various changes focused on improving public travel. Starting now, Tatkal booking will be required for ticket purchases. Beginning in January 2026, travelers will be able to make changes to confirmed tickets without incurring any fees. Additionally, the railways will provide special printed blanket covers in certain AC coaches.
