• Source:JND
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Travelers on the Vande Bharat Express can now purchase tickets a mere 15 minutes prior to the departure, thanks to a new implementation by Indian Railways. This feature was first implemented by the Southern Railway to improve the occupancy rate of the popular trains in the Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh regions. This system was implemented to improve the convenience for the railway customers. With over 144 operational Vande Bharat trains in the country, rolling it out to other areas would considerably benefit many more commuters. It is not just about convenience, but operational efficiency as well.

New Vande Bharat Last-Minute Booking

Thanks to the improved Passenger Reservation System (PRS), passengers can now book tickets for boarding station tickets minutes before departure.

Steps to Book Vande Bharat Tickets 15 Minutes Before Departure

  • Visit the Website or App of IRCTC – Go to www.irctc.co.in or check the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
  • Sign In or Create an Account – Either sign in with existing credentials credentails or create an account if new.
  • Fill in Travel Information – Choose boarding and destination stations, date and select the Vande Bharat train.
  • Seat Availability Check – Check the selected class for seat availability in real time.
  • Class and Boarding Station Selection – Choose either Executive Class or Chair Car and boarding station.
  • Make Payment and Confirm – Process complete payment to receive your e-ticket through SMS and email.

Vande Bharat Express Trains Offering Last-Minute Booking

Train Number

Route

20631

Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central

20632

Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central

20627

Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil

20628

Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore

20642

Coimbatore – Bengaluru Cantt.

20646

Mangaluru Central – Madgaon

20671

Madurai – Bengaluru Cantt.

20677

Dr MGR Chennai Central – Vijayawada

Key Benefits for Passengers

  • Enhanced Travll Flexibility – Great for mid-travel shifts and urgent plans without prior bookings.
  • Optimized seat occupancy – Improves vacant seat absorption post intermediate boarding to boost train occupancy.
  • Convenience for Passengers – Lowers dependence on waitlisted seats and other modes of transport.
  • Upgrade Digitally – Improvements to the PRS system represent the modernization efforts spearheaded by Indian Railways.

FAQs on Last-Minute Vande Bharat Booking

Is it possible to book any sort of Vande Bharat ticket within 15 minutes before departure?

At the moment, only eight trains in the Southern Railway zone can do this. There is potential for future expansion.

Would there be any last-minute ticket surcharge?

There is a no-show surcharge; all other fees remain the same.

Would I be able to cancel a last-minute booking?

Within Indian Railways’ guidelines, yes cancellations can be made, but there is a fee for it.

Is offline booking available?

Yes, last-minute bookings can also be made at PRS station counters.

Will this work for other trains?

As of now, only Vande Bharat Express (Chair Car & Executive Class) are covered.

Conclusion

Indian Railways is also making Vande Bharat travel easier, particularly for last-minute or sudden trips, with its introduction of a 15-minute booking window in Southern Railway zone. Although presently restricted, the feature has potential to revolutionize last-minute train travel in India if rolled out countrywide; passengers now have less complicated planning, quicker bookings and better chances of getting seats even at departure time!