In a major relief for passengers, Indian Railways has introduced a new rule allowing travellers to change their boarding station up to 30 minutes before the train departs.
The rule, effective from April 1 as announced by Southern Railway, aims to offer greater flexibility, especially for those running late or facing last-minute changes in travel plans.
Earlier, passengers had to request such changes well in advance—typically before the first reservation chart was prepared. Now, requests can be made much closer to departure and will be reflected in the second reservation chart.
What’s New?
Passengers can now modify their boarding station up to 30 minutes before departure, compared to the earlier requirement of applying nearly 24 hours in advance. This significantly improves last-minute convenience.
Who Can Use This Facility?
- Only passengers with confirmed or RAC tickets are eligible
- Waitlisted ticket holders cannot use this facility
- Boarding station can be changed only once
- Request must be made before the second chart is prepared
How to Change Boarding Station
Online via IRCTC:
- Log in to your account
- Go to “Booked Tickets”
- Select “Change Boarding Point”
- Choose new station and confirm
At PRS Counter:
- Visit nearest reservation counter
- Carry ticket and valid ID
- Request the change
- Collect updated ticket
Why This Matters
This update makes train travel more passenger-friendly by allowing last-minute adjustments. It is especially helpful for those who may not reach their original boarding station on time due to delays or sudden plan changes.