The West Central Railway’s Kota Division has introduced a token system at reservation counters across all stations under its jurisdiction to improve transparency and reduce overcrowding during Tatkal ticket bookings.
The new arrangement aims to streamline queue management and provide passengers with a smoother and more organised reservation experience during the high-demand Tatkal booking hours.
Token Distribution Timings Announced
According to railway officials, passengers booking Tatkal tickets for Air-Conditioned (AC) classes will receive tokens between 9:00 AM and 9:25 AM.
For Sleeper class reservations, tokens will be distributed from 9:30 AM to 9:55 AM.
Railway authorities have advised passengers to arrive at reservation counters within the specified time slots and cooperate with railway staff to ensure the smooth functioning of the newly introduced system.
The initiative is expected to minimise confusion, reduce long queues and improve transparency in ticket booking at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
Tatkal Booking Timings Remain Unchanged
Under existing Indian Railways rules, Tatkal bookings for AC classes begin at 10:00 AM, while bookings for non-AC categories start at 11:00 AM, one day before the journey date.
Apart from booking tickets through PRS counters, passengers can also reserve Tatkal tickets online through the official Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and mobile application using Aadhaar-authenticated accounts.
Officials stated that the token arrangement has been introduced primarily to maintain order at reservation centres where heavy crowds are often witnessed during Tatkal booking hours.
Kota Division Among Key Railway Divisions
The Kota Division, established on April 1, 1952, is considered one of the important divisions on the western railway route. Its railway network mainly covers parts of Rajasthan, along with certain sections extending into Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Railway officials believe the token-based system will help improve passenger convenience and reduce disputes or overcrowding at reservation counters.
Indian Railways Reiterates Reservation Chart Timings
Meanwhile, Indian Railways has also reiterated the rules regarding reservation chart preparation for trains.
For trains departing between 5:01 AM and 2:00 PM, the first reservation chart is generally prepared by 8:00 PM on the previous day.
For trains scheduled to depart between 2:01 PM and midnight, as well as trains leaving between midnight and 5:00 AM, the first reservation chart is typically prepared at least 10 hours before departure.
Passengers have been advised to regularly check reservation status and train schedules through official railway platforms for the latest updates.
