• Source:JND
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IRCTC Ticket Booking: In a big relief for last-minute travellers, you can now book a confirmed seat on the Vande Bharat Express just 15 minutes before the train departs. Yes, Indian Railways has introduced this feature to make premium travel more flexible and efficient. Launched under the Southern Railway zone, the move aims to help those making emergency or last-minute travel plans, while also ensuring that no seat goes to waste on these high-speed trains.

Previously, once a Vande Bharat train left its starting station, unbooked seats remained unused even if they were empty. But now, with this new system, real-time booking stays open until just 15 minutes before departure, allowing more people to hop on board. “It gives passengers, especially business and emergency travellers, more convenience and confidence that they can still board at the last moment," said a senior railway official.

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Book Tickets 15 Mins Before On These 8 Vande Bharat Routes

This facility is currently available on eight Vande Bharat Express routes across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Here are the eligible trains:

1. 20631 Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central

2. 20632 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central

3. 20627 Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil

4. 20628 Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore

5. 20642 Coimbatore – Bengaluru Cantt.

6. 20646 Mangaluru Central – Madgaon

7. 20671 Madurai – Bengaluru Cantt.

8. 20677 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Vijayawada

Officials have indicated that if this trial run gets good passenger response, it could be expanded to more zones and routes.

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How To Book A Last-Minute Vande Bharat Ticket

Booking a last-minute Vande Bharat ticket is just as simple as regular ticketing. You can do it online through the IRCTC website or IRCTC Rail Connect app:

- Visit www.irctc.co.in or open the mobile app

- Log in or create a new account

- Enter your journey details from and to stations, and travel date

- Check live seat availability

- Select your class (Executive Class or Chair Car) and boarding station

- Pay online and get your confirmed ticket via SMS and email instantly