Indian Railways announces discounts when purchasing tickets through the Railone App

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train will soon begin operating on the route between Bangalore and Mumbai, reducing the journey time to approximately 16 hours. The South Western Railway has started preparations for the launch of this train. The ticket cost in 3AC class is expected to be around 3000 rupees per passenger, including food and breakfast. Currently, existing trains between these cities take about 24 hours.

The South Western Railway has commissioned two Vande Bharat Sleeper sets for the Bangalore-Mumbai route. Both rakes, consisting of 16 coaches, were manufactured by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in Bangalore as part of the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) program in Chennai. Before operation, both rakes underwent testing and inspection, and the railway is now preparing for a trial run.

According to Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divisional Manager of the Bangalore railway, the railway is preparing to launch the train, and the schedule will be published shortly. The trial run will be conducted on the approved route, allowing for an assessment of the estimated travel time and speed trials under the supervision of the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).

Currently, two options are being considered for the train's starting station in Bangalore: Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna Station (KSR) or Ser M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Station. According to Parikshit Mohanpuri, Additional Divisional Operations Manager, both options are under consideration. The servicing of the main train rake may also take place at KSR or SMVT stations in Bangalore. The final decision and schedule have not yet been announced.

The proposed Vande Bharat Sleeper train will consist of 16 coaches, with 11 in 3AC class, 4 in 2AC class, and 1 in 1AC class. The ticket price for 3AC is expected to be close to 3000 rupees. According to railway officials, the train will likely run in both directions at night. The goal is to provide passengers with the option to travel overnight and arrive at their destination in the morning. The railway expects that the lower cost and shorter travel time compared to air travel will make this service popular among passengers.

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Bangalore-Mumbai service may run on the proposed route through the Kalyan region in Karnataka, including major stations such as Raichur, Yadgir, and Kalaburagi. The proposed railway line is about 1137 kilometers long, fully electrified, and double-tracked. Most of this route allows speeds up to 130 kilometers per hour, making it a preferred option for high-speed rail transport.

Currently, major trains between Bangalore and Mumbai take about 24 hours, including trains like Udyan Express and SMVT Bangalore-LTT Mumbai Express. After the launch of the new Vande Bharat Sleeper service, the travel time is expected to be reduced by 8 hours, amounting to about 16 hours. However, the actual travel time will only become clear after the trial run and the approval of the final schedule.

Previously, the Hubli route was also discussed for the Vande Bharat Sleeper between Bangalore and Mumbai. This option was supported by public figures and railway-related individuals. Nevertheless, the railway prioritized the route through Kalyan in Karnataka. The Hubli option, spanning about 1216 kilometers, has sections with single tracks and speed restrictions. In comparison, the chosen route of 1137 kilometers is fully double-tracked and electrified, making it more suitable for fast train movement.

Indian Railways is one of the largest railway networks in the world, transporting millions of passengers daily. Various rules have been developed to ensure traveler convenience and efficient use of seats, which every passenger should know. According to Indian Railways rules, having a confirmed ticket usually implies that the seat belongs only to you throughout the entire journey. However, there is a rule that few people know: under certain circumstances, your seat may be given to another passenger.

This happens if a passenger does not board the train at their original boarding station and fails to inform the railway about it. In such cases, the Ticket Examiner (TTE) has the right, according to the rules, to allocate this seat to another suitable passenger. Next, we will examine in detail how this rule works, in which situations the seat might be occupied by someone else, and what should be done to avoid this.

According to Indian Railways rules, if a passenger's ticket is confirmed, but they do not board the train at the designated departure station and do not board within the next two stations, the TTE may consider the seat vacant. Subsequently, if there is a waiting list passenger, an RAC passenger, or any other suitable passenger awaiting a seat on the train, the TTE may allocate this seat to them in accordance with the rules. Thus, a confirmed ticket alone is not enough; timely boarding is also crucial.

Millions of passengers use the services of Indian Railways every day. Sometimes passengers book tickets but do not travel for some reason. On the other hand, many travel with waiting list or RAC tickets. If vacant seats are not utilized, it will lead to resource wastage and cause inconvenience to needy passengers. This is why the railway introduced this system to utilize vacant seats to provide convenience to other passengers.

Suppose your boarding station is New Delhi, but for some reason, you wish to board the train at the next station, such as Ghaziabad or Aligarh. In this situation, missing the train from the first station without notification can be disadvantageous for you. In this scenario, you must change your boarding station before the journey begins. Passengers can change their boarding station within the stipulated time through the IRCTC service before the train departs. By doing so, you will retain your seat, and the railway will know from which station you will board the train.

Sometimes a passenger fails to reach the boarding station due to traffic jams, flight delays, or missing a bus. In such a situation, it is better not to remain silent but to take immediate action. If possible, contact the TTE or report your situation through the railway's hotline. Nevertheless, the final decision is made by the TTE and in accordance with the current railway rules. Therefore, it is always best to notify them in advance.

Missing the train only at the first station does not automatically mean your ticket is cancelled. However, if you have not changed your boarding station, have not informed them of your intention to board the train, and have not started traveling even at the next two stations, the TTE may consider the seat vacant and allocate it to another suitable passenger. Consequently, even with a ticket in your name, you have no guarantee of retaining the seat.