Indian Railways Revises Emergency Quota Booking Rules

Indian Railways has introduced significant changes to the booking process for tickets under the Emergency Quota (EQ), requiring passengers to submit their requests earlier than before. This adjustment follows the Railway Ministry’s recent decision to prepare reservation charts eight hours prior to train departure, aiming to enhance operational efficiency.

Purpose of Emergency Quota Seats

Emergency quota seats are primarily reserved for VIPs, railway staff, and passengers facing medical emergencies. However, the misuse of this facility and last-minute requests have often led to delays in chart preparation, impacting the confirmation of waiting list tickets and causing inconvenience to passengers.

New Submission Deadlines for EQ Requests

Under the revised rules, passengers seeking an EQ ticket must now submit their request at least a day in advance. According to a circular issued by the ministry, requests for trains departing between 0000 hours and 1400 hours must reach the EQ cell by 1200 hours on the previous day. For trains leaving between 14.01 hours and 23.59 hours, requests should be submitted by 1600 hours on the preceding day.

No Same-Day Requests Accepted

The ministry has clarified that requests received on the same day as the scheduled departure will not be entertained. This policy aims to streamline operations and ensure timely chart preparation.

Handling Requests on Sundays and Holidays

For Sundays or public holidays, requests for emergency quota releases should be submitted during office hours on the previous working day. The Railway Board’s reservation cell receives numerous requests from VIPs, railway officers, senior officials, and other departments.

Ensuring Fair Allotment of Quotas

The ministry emphasizes that all efforts are made to allocate quotas judiciously and prudently. Officers are urged to adhere to these timings to prevent delays in chart preparation, which can cause significant inconvenience to travelers and potentially delay train departures.

Improving Passenger Experience

This initiative is designed to streamline the ticketing process, ensure timely chart preparation, and enhance punctuality. For regular passengers, these changes mean they will receive confirmation of their waiting list tickets earlier, reducing uncertainty before travel.