Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled an ambitious, future-forward vision set to redefine the contours of Indian Railways focusing on infrastructure modernization, sustainable freight logistics, passenger convenience, and global competitiveness.
The Ministry of Railways has announced that reservation charts for confirmed berths or seats will now be prepared eight hours before a train’s scheduled departure, instead of the previous four hours. This move aims to provide passengers, especially those from remote areas, with more time to make alternative arrangements if their waitlist is not confirmed. Additionally, the Railways will revamp its Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by December, increasing booking capacity to 1.5 lakh tickets per minute and introducing a more user-friendly, multilingual interface. From July 1, 2025, only authenticated users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website and app, further enhancing transparency and convenience for travelers.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is working urgently to restore rail connectivity in the Lumding–Badarpur Hill section after a massive landslide damaged about 100 meters of track due to heavy rains. A high-level meeting led by Assam’s Chief Secretary and NFR’s General Manager has resulted in a joint restoration plan, with over 25 heavy machines and 200 laborers deployed on-site. However, ongoing rain and unstable soil are hampering efforts. Numerous trains have been fully or partially cancelled, and services will remain suspended until restoration is complete—expected within a week, depending on weather. Passengers are advised to follow official railway updates for real-time information.
Indian Railways has announced a revised fare structure effective July 1, 2025, marking its first hike in several years to address rising costs and inflation. The increase will not affect suburban trains, monthly season tickets, or ordinary second-class travel up to 500 km. For longer journeys, ordinary second-class fares will rise by 0.5 paise per km, non-AC Mail/Express by 1 paise per km, and all AC classes by 2 paise per km.
Additionally, from July 1, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings on IRCTC platforms, with Aadhaar-based OTP verification enforced from July 15. IRCTC agents will also be barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window, aiming to enhance transparency and curb misuse. These reforms aim to create a more secure and passenger-friendly railway system.
In a significant move to curb illegal booking and hoarding of train tickets, Indian Railways has announced that, effective July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be able to book Tatkal tickets online via the IRCTC website and mobile app. Further strengthening security, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will become mandatory for all online Tatkal bookings starting July 15, 2025. Similar OTP authentication will also be required for Tatkal bookings at PRS counters and through authorized agents from July 15. These measures follow a major crackdown in which 24 million user accounts were blocked and 2 million flagged as suspicious, as the Railways aims to ensure fair access and reduce misuse of the Tatkal scheme. Passengers are urged to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts and update their mobile numbers to avoid disruptions in booking.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the Chenab River. Spanning 1,315 metres and built to withstand severe seismic and wind conditions, the bridge is a crucial part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, connecting the Kashmir Valley to the rest of India by rail and reducing travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by up to three hours. PM Modi also inaugurated India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge over the Anji River and flagged off Vande Bharat Express trains between Katra and Srinagar, further enhancing regional connectivity. Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra, marking a major boost to healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Shri Manoj Yadava, Director General of the RPF, inaugurated the Escort Mobilization Hall and upgraded CCTV Surveillance Room at Guwahati Railway Station. The new hall enhances coordination for RPF escort duties, ensuring quicker emergency responses, while the upgraded surveillance room strengthens station security with cutting-edge monitoring systems. Shri Yadava and Shri Shrivastava emphasized modern security measures and the pivotal role of technology in boosting railway safety.
Barak Bolchhe!
