Railways Tightens Emergency Quota Rules
Requests Now Mandatory a Day in Advance for Streamlined Operations
- EQ requests now required a day in advance.
- Aims to streamline charts, boost punctuality.
- Deadlines set: 12 PM previous day for morning trains; 4 PM for afternoon/evening.
- No more same-day EQ requests.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th July: Indian Railways has revised its rules for booking tickets under the Emergency Quota (EQ), now requiring all requests to be submitted at least one day prior to the journey. This significant change aligns with the Railway Ministry’s recent decision to finalize reservation charts eight hours before a train’s departure, aiming for greater operational efficiency and improved passenger experience.
The Emergency Quota, typically reserved for VIPs, railway personnel, and medical emergencies, has often faced issues due to last-minute requests. Such demands frequently delayed chart preparation, impacting the confirmation status of waiting list tickets and causing inconvenience to other passengers.
Under the new guidelines, outlined in a circular issued by the ministry:
- Morning Trains (00:00 to 14:00 hrs): EQ requests must reach the cell by 12:00 hrs (noon) on the previous day.
- Afternoon/Evening Trains (14:01 to 23:59 hrs): Requests must reach the EQ cell by 16:00 hrs (4 PM) on the previous day.
- Same-day requests will not be entertained.
- For Sundays/Holidays: Requests must be submitted during office hours on the previous working day.
The ministry stressed the need for strict adherence to these timings to ensure timely allotments and prevent delays in chart preparation, which can hinder train departures. It also urged forwarding authorities to verify the genuineness of each request to prevent misuse of the quota.
This move is expected to streamline the ticketing process, ensure charts are prepared promptly, and enhance overall train punctuality. For common passengers, this means earlier clarity on waiting list ticket confirmations, reducing pre-travel uncertainty.
