எழும்பூரில் மேம்பாட்டுப் பணி: முக்கிய விரைவு ரயில்கள் தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து இயக்கம்

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எழும்பூரில் மேம்பாட்டுப் பணி: முக்கிய விரைவு ரயில்கள் தாம்பரத்தில் இருந்து இயக்கம்

சீரமைப்பு மற்றும் மேம்பாட்டுப் பணிகள் காரணமாக எழும்பூா் மாா்க்கத்தில் இயக்கப்படும் முக்கிய விரைவு ரயில்கள் தாம்பரத்திலிருந்து இயக்க நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

கோப்புப் படம்

தினமணி செய்திச் சேவை

Updated on:

31 ஜனவரி 2026, 1:58 am

சீரமைப்பு மற்றும் மேம்பாட்டுப் பணிகள் காரணமாக எழும்பூா் மாா்க்கத்தில் இயக்கப்படும் முக்கிய விரைவு ரயில்கள் தாம்பரத்திலிருந்து இயக்க நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து தெற்கு ரயில்வே சாா்பில் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ள செய்திக்குறிப்பு: சென்னை எழும்பூா் ரயில் நிலையத்தில் வரும் பிப். 3 முதல் ஏப். 4-ஆம் தேதி வரை மறுசீரமைப்பு மற்றும் மேம்பாட்டுப் பணிகள் நடைபெறவுள்ளன.

இதன் காரணமாக வரும் பிப். 3 முதல் ஏப். 5-ஆம் தேதி வரை தஞ்சாவூா் - சென்னை எழும்பூா் உழவன் விரைவு ரயில் (எண்: 16866), கொல்லம் - சென்னை எழும்பூா் அனந்தபுரி அதிவிரைவு ரயில் (எண்: 20636), ராமேசுவரம் - சென்னை எழும்பூா் விரைவு ரயில் (எண்:16752) ஆகியவை தாம்பரத்திலேயே நிறுத்தப்படும்.

அதேபோல், மறுமாா்க்கமாக பிப். 4 முதல் ஏப். 6-ஆம் தேதி வரை எழும்பூருக்குப் பதிலாக உழவன் விரைவு ரயில் (எண்: 16865) இரவு 11 மணிக்கும், கொல்லம் அனந்தபுரி அதிவிரைவு ரயில் (எண்: 20635) இரவு 8.20 மணிக்கும், ராமேசுவரம் விரைவு ரயில் (எண்: 16751) இரவு 9.05 மணிக்கும் தாம்பரம் நிலையத்திலிருந்து புறப்பட்டுச் செல்லும்.

சென்னை எழும்பூரிலிருந்து மும்பை செல்லும் அதிவிரைவு ரயில் (எண்: 22158), வரும் பிப். 4 முதல் ஏப். 4-ஆம் தேதி வரை எழும்பூருக்குப் பதிலாக சென்னை கடற்கரையிலிருந்து மாலை 6.50 மணிக்குப் புறப்பட்டுச் செல்லும்.

மாற்றுப் பாதை: ஆமதாபாத் - திருச்சி இடையே இயக்கப்படும் வாராந்திர சிறப்பு ரயில் (எண்: 09419/09420) பிப். 5 முதல் ஏப். 2 -ஆம் தேதி வரை இருமாா்க்கத்திலும் அரக்கோணம், பெரம்பூா், எழும்பூா் மற்றும் தாம்பரத்துக்குப் பதிலாக ரேணிகுண்டா, அரக்கோணம் வடக்கு, மேல்பாக்கம், காட்பாடி, வேலூா், விழுப்புரம் வழியாக இயக்கப்படும் என அதில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Phase-2 metro stretch getting ready for final inspection

Phase-2 metro stretch getting ready for final inspection

 U.Tejonmayam@timesofindia.com 22.01.2026

Chennai : The 14.5-km phase-2 metro rail stretch from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani is getting ready for final inspection by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) ahead of its proposed opening for passenger operations in Feb. Commuters, however, may not get access to at least seven stations between Porur Junction and Saligramam immediately, as civil work and passenger amenities at these stations are yet to be completed. 

These stations will instead be commissioned in phases before mid-2026, officials said. The stretch includes seven stations, of which four are double-decker stations spread over a 4-km section. When the line opens next month, driverless metro trains will bypass these stations and terminate at Vadapalani, where commuters can use the existing skywalk to use the phase-1 metro line towards airport, Central and Egmore. 

On Wednesday, workers were seen preparing the skywalk and entry points at Vadapalani station, while stations between Porur and Poonamallee Bypass were getting final touches to their facades. “We will open stations one by one before June 2026, which was the original target,” a metro rail official said. 

The stations between Porur Junction and Saligramam include the doubledecker stations at Alapakkam, Karambakkam, Valsaravakkam and Alwarthirunagar, besides Saligramam Warehouse and Saligramam stations. 

The 14.5-km stretch forms part of the 26.1-km corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass. CMRL began trial runs between Porur and Poonamallee in 2025, followed by trials on the Vadapalani–Porur section in Jan 2026. So far, CMRS completed inspection of the driverless trains, while inspections of the viaduct, tracks, signalling systems and station amenities are yet to be carried out. After inspections, CMRS will submit its report to the Railway Board. “After the Railway Board issues the authorisation for passenger operations, we will inform both Centre and state govt, which will decide the opening date,” the official said.

Officials said advancing the opening to Vadapalani, instead of waiting till June, would allow phase-2 to connect with existing phase-1 lines. “It will make commuting to city easier, as passengers can now reach airport or Central via Vadapalani,” said a resident of Iyyappanthangal, S Hemachandran.

Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket cancellation to be costly affair Indian Railways has introduced stricter cancellation charges for its new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.

Jan 19, 2026, 2:19 IST

Vande Bharat Sleeper ticket cancellation to be costly affair Indian Railways has introduced stricter cancellation charges for its new Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.

Passengers face a 25% deduction for cancellations made anytime after booking, escalating to 50% if cancelled between 72 and eight hours before departure. No refunds are offered for cancellations within eight hours of departure, a change from previous norms.

Dipak K DashTNN

While a 25% deduction will apply if a ticket is cancelled anytime after purchasing, a 50% charge will be levied if cancellation is done between 72 hours and 8 hours before scheduled departure NEW DELHI: Cancelling confirmed tickets of newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will be costlier for passengers, according to new norms notified by the Railways. While a 25% deduction will apply if a ticket booked in this premium train is cancelled anytime after purchasing, a 50% charge will be levied if cancellation is done between 72 hours and eight hours before the train's scheduled departure. There will be no refund, if a ticket is cancelled less than eight hours before scheduled departure, the norms state. This provision has been introduced considering that the Railways has started preparing the reservation chart eight hours before a train's departure against the earlier norm of four hours.

India Reveals First Vande Bharat Sleeper Offering Faster Overnight Travel On Kolkata-Guwahati Line

The new cancellation rules for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are significantly different and stricter as compared to other trains, including the operational Vande Bharat chair-car trains. Officials said the norms reduce the time for cancelling tickets and change refund amounts for Vande Bharat Sleeper trains as passengers will be issued only confirmed tickets in these services. There will be no provision for reservation against cancellation tickets, they said. 

Rules for other trains state that passengers are levied a flat cancellation rate of Rs 240 for first AC, Rs 200 for Tier-2 AC, Rs 180 for Tier-3 AC, Rs 120 for Sleeper and Rs 60 for Second Class, if they cancel tickets anytime before 48 hours prior to a train's scheduled departure. If anyone cancels a ticket between 48 hours and up to 12 hours before scheduled departure, a 25% cancellation charge is levied, and there is a 50% deduction for tickets cancelled between 12 hours and up to four hours before departure. There is no refund for confirmed tickets in case they are not cancelled or ticket deposit receipt (TDR) not filed online up to four hours before scheduled departure, the rules state.

 Regarding Vande Bharat Sleeper trains fares, the Railway Board has said the minimum chargeable distance will be 400km and there will be quota only for women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and those with duty pass. No other reservation will be applicable.

Chennai Central station’s retiring rooms & dorms to get makeover

Chennai Central station’s retiring rooms & dorms to get makeover

Venkadesan.S@timesofindia.com 11.01.2026

Chennai : Southern Railway will renovate retiring rooms and dormitories at MGR Chennai Central station to provide a star-hotel-like experience to passengers. The station has nine airconditioned rooms, a 23-bed air-conditioned male dormitory, and a fivebed female dormitory at the concourse level. They are available for up to ₹500 for three hours. “The unused vacant space at the concourse will also be developed to provide a premium experience to passengers looking for a short stay ahead of, or after, a long journey,” said an official with the Chennai division of the Southern Railway. 

The railways will outsource the facility to an agency. Those with prior experience in the hospitality sector can participate in the open tender, develop the facility, and maintain it for five years, which can be extended by up to four years. “So far, the railways maintained the facility. Now, the facility will be modernised under the renovate, operate, maintain, and transfer model. The aim is to provide passengers with a more comfortable, contemporary, and pleasant stay experience in line with present-day standards,” he added.

The retiring rooms are close to commercial outlets, restaurants, eateries, and other essential amenities, and passengers can easily reach the platforms. T Sadagopan, a civic activist, while welcoming the move, raised concern about whether the facility would remain affordable to all passengers. “If they hike the price to premium rates, many may not be able to afford it,” he said.

 1/11/26, 6:32 AM Times of India ePaper chennai - Read Today’s English News Paper Online https://epaper.indiatimes.com/timesepaper/publication-the-times-of-india,city-chennai.cms 1/2 MODERN UPGRADE 1/11/26, 6:32 AM Times of India ePaper chennai - Read Today’s English News Paper Online

Chennai Metro trial run in Porur-Vadapalani stretch on Sunday

 Chennai Metro trial run in Porur-Vadapalani stretch on Sunday

10.01.2026

Chennai Metro Rail said the trial run, scheduled for January 11, follows the completion of initial traction testing and electrification works, which are expected to conclude by Friday midnight.

Chennai Metro train stationed at the CMRL station near Porur junction.(File Photo | Express)

Express News Service

Updated on:
09 Jan 2026, 7:10 pm

CHENNAI: One of Chennai’s most complex new transport structures — a double-decker viaduct carrying metro trains above a major arterial road — will come under live testing on Sunday as Chennai Metro Rail conducts the first trial run on the Porur–Vadapalani stretch of its Phase II expansion.

Chennai Metro Rail said the trial run, scheduled for January 11, follows the completion of initial traction testing and electrification works, which are expected to conclude by Friday midnight. Integrated system testing, covering rolling stock movement, power supply and signalling interfaces, will continue through Saturday, with the timing of Sunday’s run to be announced later.

The Porur–Vadapalani section is notable not only for being among the first Phase II stretches to enter the trial stage, but also for incorporating a double-decker design — a relatively rare solution in Indian urban rail projects. The structure allows metro infrastructure to be layered above an existing road corridor, reducing the need for land acquisition while preserving surface traffic capacity in a densely built part of the city.

Connectivity along the Porur–Vadapalani corridor carries particular urban significance. The stretch cuts across heavily congested east–west routes linking western suburbs with central Chennai, serving dense residential neighbourhoods, educational institutions, healthcare clusters, and emerging commercial pockets.

The corridor has been executed using round-the-clock shifts involving several hundred engineers, technicians and contract workers across civil, electrical and signalling disciplines. The corridor is likely to be put into use for commuters by February.

1st 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train set for Delhi-Kol run by month-end

1st Vande Bharat sleeper train set for Delhi-Kol run by month-end 

New Delhi : 01.01.2026

The first Vande Bharat sleeper train is likely to be flagged off for the Delhi-Kolkata route later this month, weeks before assembly elections in West Bengal, reports Dipak Dash . “The train is now ready for commercial operation after successfully completing the final high-speed trial. 

The railways’ focus is take modern trains to all parts of the country as more such trains are rolled out. We expect the operation of the first train to start in third week of this month,” said an official. Railway minister Ashwini Vaihnaw on Wednesday shared a video of the highspeed trial of the train on social media, highlighting the successful CRS (Commission of Railway Safety) trial at 180 kmph on the Kota–Nagda section. 

The video showed a waterglass stability demonstration, in which glasses filled with water remained steady without spillage even at high speed.

ஜன. 14 முதல் ‘ரயில்ஒன்’ செயலியில் முன்பதிவில்லா பயணச்சீட்டுக்கு 3% தள்ளுபடி

ஜன. 14 முதல் ‘ரயில்ஒன்’ செயலியில் முன்பதிவில்லா பயணச்சீட்டுக்கு 3% தள்ளுபடி

ரயில்வேயில் எண்ம பரிவா்த்தனைகளை ஊக்குவிக்கும் வகையில், ‘ரயில்ஒன்’ செயலி மூலம் வாங்கப்படும் முன்பதிவில்லா பயணச்சீட்டுகளுக்கு 3 சதவீத தள்ளுபடி வழங்கப்படும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தினமணி செய்திச் சேவை Updated on: 31 டிசம்பர் 2025, 3:08 am ரயில்வேயில் எண்ம பரிவா்த்தனைகளை ஊக்குவிக்கும் வகையில், ‘ரயில்ஒன்’ செயலி மூலம் வாங்கப்படும் முன்பதிவில்லா பயணச்சீட்டுகளுக்கு 3 சதவீத தள்ளுபடி வழங்கப்படும் என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இந்தச் சலுகை வரும் ஜன. 14-ஆம் தேதிமுதல் ஜூலை 14-ஆம் தேதி வரை ஆறு மாதங்களுக்கு அமலில் இருக்கும் என்றும் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

தற்போதைய நடைமுறைப்படி, ‘ரயில்ஒன்’ செயலியில் ‘ஆா்-வாலட்’ மூலம் பயணச்சீட்டு வாங்குபவா்களுக்கு மட்டுமே 3 சதவீத ‘கேஷ்பேக்’ சலுகை வழங்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. ஆனால், புதிய அறிவிப்பின்படி, அனைத்து வகையான எண்ம பணப் பரிமாற்ற முறைகளிலும் பயணச்சீட்டு வாங்குபவா்களுக்கு இந்த 3 சதவீத நேரடி தள்ளுபடி கிடைக்கும்.

இதற்கேற்ப மென்பொருள் அமைப்பில் தேவையான மாற்றங்களைச் செய்ய ரயில்வே தகவல் அமைப்பு மையத்துக்கு (சிஆா்ஐஎஸ்) ரயில்வே அமைச்சகம் உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது.

மேலும், இந்தத் திட்டத்தின் செயல்பாடுகள் மற்றும் பயணிகளின் வரவேற்பு குறித்த அறிக்கையை அடுத்த ஆண்டு, மே மாதத்தில் சமா்ப்பிக்குமாறு சிஆா்ஐஎஸ் மையத்துக்கு அறிவுறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. அதனடிப்படையில், இந்தச் சலுகையை மேலும் நீட்டிப்பது குறித்து ஆலோசிக்கப்படும் எனத் தெரிகிறது.

Now you cannot book rail tickets without Aadhaar; Check new rules here

Now you cannot book rail tickets without Aadhaar; Check new rules here

Previously, you could book tickets 120 days in advance, but from November 1, 2024, the railways reduced this to 60 days.

Updated: December 30, 2025 12:26 AM IST

By Tahir Qureshi| Edited by Tahir Qureshi

New Delhi: From today, December 29, IRCTC users without Aadhaar linking will not be able to book tickets between 8 AM and 12 PM. This rule will only apply on the first day of reserved rail ticket booking. Reserved ticket booking opens 60 days before the train’s departure date. The Railways is implementing this rule in three phases. The first phase has been implemented from today. The second phase will be implemented from January 5, and the third phase from January 12.

From December 29, tickets cannot be booked without Aadhaar from 8 AM to 12 PM. From January 5, ticket booking will be restricted from 8 AM to 4 PM, and from January 12, such users will not be able to book tickets from 8 AM to 12 AM (midnight).

Prevent Bookings Via Fake Accounts

The objective is to give as many passengers as possible the opportunity to book tickets online on the opening day and to prevent bookings through fake accounts.

These Are The New Rules For General Reservation Ticket Booking

This rule is introduced to curb ticket touts and fraudulent software. This will make it easier for ordinary passengers to get confirmed tickets on the opening day. Agents will not be able to book tickets during the first 4 hours. Ordinary users will have a full opportunity to book.

The IRCTC account will have to be linked with Aadhaar. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number at the time of booking, and the ticket will be confirmed only after entering it. Users without Aadhaar linking will not be able to book tickets during the first 4 hours (window opening). They will get a chance only after that. Currently, no other option has been provided.

Changes For Buying Tickets From The Station Counter

OTP is also required at the counter. Your mobile number must be linked to your Aadhaar. If you are booking tickets for someone else, their Aadhaar and OTP will also be required. To link Aadhaar on IRCTC, log in to the IRCTC app or website. Go to the ‘My Profile’ section, select the ‘Aadhaar KYC’ option, and update your details.

Where To Get Help From?

For booking or OTP-related issues, call the IRCTC helpline (139). For Aadhaar-related problems, contact UIDAI at 1947. You can also seek help at the counter of your nearest railway station.

This rule is applicable across all railway zones in India. Aadhaar authentication is now mandatory for online and counter bookings on every route.

What Is The Railway’s 60-day Rule?

Previously, you could book tickets 120 days (4 months) in advance, but from November 1, 2024, the railways reduced this to 60 days (2 months). This means reservations can be made a maximum of 60 days before the date of travel. This does not include the day of travel. Booking opens every day at 8:00 AM for the 60th day from the current date.

ரயில் கட்டண உயா்வு இன்று அமல் கட்டண உயா்வு வெள்ளிக்கிழமை அமலுக்கு வருகிறது...

ரயில் கட்டண உயா்வு இன்று அமல் கட்டண உயா்வு வெள்ளிக்கிழமை அமலுக்கு வருகிறது...

தினமணி செய்திச் சேவை Updated on:  26 டிசம்பர் 2025, 5:02 am 

ரயில் கட்டண உயா்வு வெள்ளிக்கிழமை (டிச. 26) முதல் அமலுக்கு வருகிறது.

ஏற்கெனவே முன்பதிவு செய்தவா்கள், அதே பயணச்சீட்டில் பயணிக்கலாம். அவா்களிடம் கூடுதல் கட்டணம் வசூலிக்கப்படாது என அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

215 கி.மீ. தொலைவுக்கு மேல் பயணிக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு கிலோ மீட்டருக்கும் சாதாரண வகுப்புக்கு ஒரு காசு, விரைவு/மெயில் ரயில்களில் குளிா்சாதன வசதி கொண்ட வகுப்புகளுக்கு 2 காசு கட்டணத்தை உயா்த்தி ரயில்வே அமைச்சகம் கடந்த டிச. 21-ஆம் தேதி அறிவிப்பு வெளியிட்டது. 

இந்தக் கட்டண உயா்வு வெள்ளிக்கிழமை அமலுக்கு வருகிறது. அதன்படி, 215 கி.மீ. வரை பயணம் செய்ய கட்டண உயா்வு இல்லை. 215 கி.மீ.லிருந்து 750 கி.மீ. தொலைவு வரை கட்டணம் ரூ.5 உயா்த்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. 751 கி.மீ. தொலைவிலிருந்து 1250 கி.மீ. வரை ரூ.10 அதிகரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ரயில் நிலையங்களில் பொதுமக்கள் அறியும் வகையில் திருத்தப்பட்ட கட்டண அட்டவணை அறிவிப்பு வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது என தெற்கு ரயில்வே தரப்பில் வெளியிட்ட செய்திக்குறிப்பில் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Tirunelveli–Chennai Vande Bharat now chugs with 20 coaches

Tirunelveli–Chennai Vande Bharat now chugs with 20 coaches

Tirunelveli - Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express Train leaves Tirunelveli with 20 coaches on Wednesday. Special Arrangement

The Hindu Bureau

Tirunelveli  25.09.2025

The Tirunelveli – Chennai Vande Bharat Express Train has begun its service with 20 coaches from Wednesday onwards.

The Tirunelveli – Chennai Egmore Vande Bharat Express Train with eight coaches started its journey in September 2023. Leaving Tirunelveli Junction at 6.05 a.m., this train covers 653 km to reach its destination at 1.55 p.m. In the return journey, the train departs Chennai Egmore at 2.45 p.m. to reach Tirunelveli at 10.30 a.m.

Since the train crosses this distance within 7 hours 50 minutes, even as all other super fast express trains on this section take more than 10 hours, patronage for this service is swelling everyday, notwithstanding premium ticket fare. Following an appeal from Tirunelveli MP C. Robert Bruce, the Southern Railway increased the coaches to 16 in January last for carrying 1,128 passengers, which too could not meet the demand. Hence, the service with 20 brand-new coaches was started on Wednesday for serving 1,440 commuters.

Train halts for 2 hrs for elephant to give birth

Train halts for 2 hrs for elephant to give birth 

N K

Agarwal@timesofindia.com  09.07.2025

Ramgarh : A goods train carrying coal was stopped for over two hours so that a pregnant elephant, who was in labour on the track, could give birth to a calf undisturbed. The incident took place on a forest stretch between Barkakana and Hazaribag railway stations in Jharkhand. Since the particular track is primarily used for goods transportation, no passenger train was affected. It was two weeks ago, around 3 o’clock in the morning, that forest officials contacted the railway officials to halt the goods trains for a few hours. The loco pilot was immediately alerted to ensure that both the jumbo and calf were safe. Divisional forest officer, Ramgarh, Nitish Kumar, said: “At 3 am, a forest guard informed me that a pregnant elephant is lying on the tracks in labour pain. He warned that it might get run over, and requested me to stop all train movement along the route. I immediately contacted the railway control room in Barkakana and requested them to stop all trains.” Video clips of the incident, clicked by a forest guard and some locals, went viral on Tuesday. Both the elephant and its calf are safe and healthy.

NATURE’S HALT: Both elephant and its calf are safe and healthy

Tatkal in 60 seconds: Telegram racket sells Aadhaar IDs after railway announcement

Tatkal in 60 seconds: Telegram racket sells Aadhaar IDs after railway announcement 

Unauthorised ticketing platforms claim to book Tatkal tickets in 60 seconds using bots and Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts, risking user data. Listen to Story

The Ministry of Railways has mandated that tickets under the Tatkal scheme can be booked through IRCTC.

Aakash Sharma

Khooshi Sonkar New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 3, 2025 22:15 IST 

Posted By: Akshat Trivedi 

Tatkal tickets - meant for last-minute travel and released 24-hours before departure- are often bought within seconds by bots or agents, leaving genuine travellers stranded.

A network of more than 40 groups active on Telegram and WhatsApp has been identified by India Today’s OSINT team. But it represents just a fraction of the larger online black market for e-ticketing, where thousands of agents appear to be active—and business continues to boom, despite government regulation.

The Ministry of Railways has mandated that tickets under the Tatkal scheme can be booked through the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or app only by Aadhaar-authenticated users starting July 1.

Soon after the announcement, the e-ticketing racket on social media channels began peddling Aadhaar-verified IRCTC IDs and OTPs to both agents and buyers.

RACKET UNCOVERED Not just agents, the e-ticketing rackets are rife with tech geeks and fake service providers who claim to exploit alleged loopholes in the IRCTC system, operating through shady Telegram and WhatsApp accounts.

To mask their identities, the admins use international phone numbers.

The Aadhar-authenticated IRCTC user IDs are openly sold for just Rs. 360 each, as per posts seen by India Today. These accounts are allegedly used to generate OTPs for booking Tatkal tickets. But the process isn’t manual—agents claim to use bots or automated browser extensions to speed up bookings and overwhelm the system for genuine users.

MODUS OPERANDI India Today closely observed activity inside one of the racket’s Telegram groups, “Fast Tatkal Software,” for over three months to understand their ticketing operations.

The racket operators or the technical masterminds behind the illicit network are the ones claiming to sell bots to agents. The agents are asked to install these bots in their browsers and use autofill features to complete bookings quickly, gaining an advantage over genuine users who struggle with slow-loading pages and failed transactions.

One video shared by an operator makes the picture clearer.

The bots allegedly autofill IRCTC login credentials, train details, passenger information, and payment data. The entire process is automated and “guaranteed” to secure confirmed tickets in less than a minute.

A conversation in the channel reveals the tech expert guiding agents to evade IRCTC’s AI algorithm, which counters bot activity by blocking suspicious IPs. The fraudsters dodge these blocks by using Virtual Private Servers (VPS) to mask their IP addresses.

Some operators even claim to be developing features to complete

India Today also discovered that the racket admins operate full-fledged websites selling bots like Dragon, JETX, Ocean, Black Turbo, and Formula One—marketed for “instant Tatkal bookings” and priced between Rs 999 and Rs 5,000. After purchase, users are guided through Telegram channels on how to use them.

These bots are not just used to book tickets but steal information from users.

Malware analysis of the bot file named WinZip, downloaded as an APK, was conducted using the malware scanner site VirusTotal. The analysis revealed it to be Trojan - a malware designed to steal user information.

On June 04, the Ministry of Railway said in a press release that during the first five minutes of Tatkal booking, “the bot traffic accounts for up to 50 per cent of overall login attempts.”

The deployment of the anti-bot system by IRCTC led to the suspension of over 2.5 crore fake user IDs, the Ministry added. Also, agent bookings are now banned during the first 30 minutes of Tatkal ticket opening for both AC and non-AC categories.

‘RailOne’ app brings all train services under single roof

‘RailOne’ app brings all train services under single roof 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 02.07.2025

 New Delhi : Rail passengers can now avail all services through one superapp — RailOne — and won’t need to download several apps for their different needs. RailOne, a one-stop solution through which passengers can book reserved, unreserved and platform tickets, and track PNR and train status and coach position, was launched by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday. 

The app can also be used to seek assistance and offer travel feedback. In an official statement, the ministry said the app can be downloaded from both Android Play Store and iOS App Store. “It integrates all passenger services, such as sale of unreserved and platform tickets with 3% discount, live train tracking, grievance redressal, e-catering, and porter and last-mile taxi booking. Reserved tickets will continue to be offered on IRCTC. 

RailOne app has been authorised by IRCTC, just like many other commercial apps that have partnered with it,” the ministry said.

Rail fare hike for AC & non-AC classes from today

Rail fare hike for AC & non-AC classes from today

Dipak.Dash@timesofindia.com 1.07.2025

 New Delhi : The hike in passenger fares will come into effect Tuesday after the railway ministry notified the revised fares for both AC and non-AC classes. The new fares will not apply for tickets issued at pre-revised rates, meaning passengers who booked tickets before Tuesday won’t have to pay any extra charge.

While fares have increased by 2 paise per km for passengers travelling in AC classes, the hike for non-AC class is 1 paisa per km. A rough calculation shows that one-way travel in 3AC in Rajdhani trains from Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata or Patna would get costlier by Rs 20-30, while a non-AC journey in mail and express trains would cost around Rs 10-15 more. There is no hike in fares for trains on the suburban rail network and monthly season tickets for both suburban and non-suburban trains. Similarly, there is no increase in fares for second class on ordinary (non-mail or express) trains for distances up to 500km. Beyond this, they will have to pay extra half a paisa per km.

Railways to prepare charts 8 hours before departure

Railways to prepare charts 8 hours before departure

 Dipak.Dash@timesofindia.com 30.06.2025

New Delhi : In a policy change, Indian Railways will soon prepare the reservation chart (of confirmed berths/seats) eight hours before the scheduled departure of trains instead of the present four hours. To facilitate passenger convenience, for trains departing before 2pm, the reservation chart will be prepared at 9pm the previous evening. The Railway Board proposed the changes last week and railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed their implementation “in a phased manner so that there is no disruption”. The board will come up with the rollout plan soon. In an official statement, the railway ministry said the present practice of preparing reservation charts four hours before train departure creates uncertainty in the minds of passengers. It will especially benefit passengers travelling from remote locations or suburbs of major cities to catch long-distance trains. It will also provide more time to make alternative arrangements in case the waitlisted ticket is not confirmed. In another move, the railways announced complete revamp of the passenger reservation system (PRS) by Dec. The new PRS will allow over 1.5 lakh ticket bookings per minute, around five times more than the present capacity of 32,000 tickets per minute.A

Vande Bharat sleeper trains yet to receive nod

Vande Bharat sleeper trains yet to receive nod 

B Anbuselvan


Updated on:

 
22 Jun 2025, 7:42 am

Following its production, commissioning of the rake was delayed for a few months after ICF flagged several manufacturing defects, which BEML later addressed.

The 16-coach rake comprises 11 three-tier AC coaches, four two-tier AC coaches and one first-class AC coach, with a total seating capacity of 823 passengers.Photo | Express B Anbuselvan Updated on: 22 Jun 2025, 7:42 am 2 min read Follow Us CHENNAI: It has been over six months since the prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper version was dispatched from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) for trials and testing, but it is yet to receive clearance for operation. The 16-coach prototype, designed by ICF and manufactured by the Bengaluru-based public sector company BEML (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited), was built at a cost of Rs 120 crore.

Following its production, commissioning of the rake was delayed for a few months after ICF flagged several manufacturing defects, which BEML later addressed. Although the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) successfully completed speed trials at 160 kmph in January, the train is still awaiting approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), officials said.

Sources indicate that the CRS has raised certain objections regarding the design and expressed reservations about some of the safety features incorporated in the train. However, the Railways has asserted that there are no issues with the electrical or mechanical components.

 VB’s sleeper version is equipped with Kavach

ICF General Manager U Subba Rao told TNIE that the CRS had raised a few queries concerning the prototype, which have already been addressed. “A detailed response has been sent. The clarifications pertained to minor technical aspects. There were no major flaws in the prototype,” he said.

After receiving the prototype from BEML, ICF identified more than 73 design and technical issues, particularly related to safety. These included concerns about crash buffers, fire barrier walls, and the hooks connecting the middle and upper berths. These issues led to the project missing its initial deadline by a few months.

Rao stated that all concerns raised by ICF had been resolved. “It’s just a matter of time before the 16-coach sleeper version is cleared for operation by the Railway Board. We have already received orders to build nine more Vande Bharat sleeper trains this financial year,” he added.

ICF has incorporated several enhanced safety features in the sleeper version. The rake is also fitted with the Kavach Train Collision Avoidance System, crashworthy couplers, front and side crash buffers and a fire detection system.

In January, the train successfully completed oscillation trials, emergency braking tests and evaluations of its control and electrical systems conducted by RDSO in Lucknow. It also underwent high-speed testing at 180 kmph in the Kota division, along with short- and long-distance trial runs, before being submitted for CRS approval.

The 16-coach rake comprises 11 three-tier AC coaches, four two-tier AC coaches and one first-class AC coach, with a total seating capacity of 823 passengers.

From July 1, Aadhaar authentication must for Tatkal booking

From July 1, Aadhaar authentication must for Tatkal booking

Dipak.Dash@timesofindia.com 12.06.2025

 New Delhi : From July 1, only users who have authenticated their IRCTC account with Aadhaar will be able to book Tatkal tickets through its website and app. To make the process more foolproof, the use of OTP for Aadhaar authentication will be introduced from July 15, the railway ministry said on Wednesday. 

The new norms have been notified to check malpractices by agents and ensure that only genuine passengers benefit from the Tatkal scheme. The ministry has urged people to ensure Aadhaar linkage with their IRCTC user profiles to avoid inconvenience. Even to buy paper tickets at rail ticket windows from July 15, passengers or their representatives will have to provide a mobile number on which an OTP will be sent for verification purposes.

 “Certain provisions have also been made to ensure that bots (or other software means) are not able to book tickets faster than genuine users,” a senior railway official said. As per the notification, authorised ticketing agents will not be permitted to book opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window, a move aimed at preventing bulk bookings during this critical period. 

“For AC classes, this restriction will apply from 10 am to 10.30am, and for non AC classes, from 11 am to 11:30 am,” it said. Around 2.2 lakh passengers book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website and app daily

2.5cr ‘bogus’ IDs solve case of vanishing tickets on IRCTC site

2.5cr ‘bogus’ IDs solve case of vanishing tickets on IRCTC site 

2.9L Suspicious PNRs Detected In Past 5 Mths 

Dipak.Dash@timesofindia.com 04.06.2025

New Delhi : If you have been baffled by how and why railway tickets in certain trains disappear within minutes of the booking window opening even 60 days before the scheduled journey, IRCTC has detected those behind creating this artificial crisis. Only in the past five months, it detected 2.9 lakh suspicious PNRs while analysing ticket purchases done within just five minutes after booking commenced for both general and Tatkal tickets. 

Top railway officials said between January and May, they have deactivated 2.5 crore suspected user IDs for booking tickets and put 20 lakh user IDs under revalidation as a part of a special drive. “A total of 134 complaints have been registered with the national cyber crime portal and over 6,800 disposal email domains have been blocked. 

This drive will be intensified further,” said an official. Disposable email addressing refers to an approach that involves using a unique email address for each contact or entity, or using it for a limited number of times or uses. The fraudsters have been resorting to these tactics to book tickets and charge more from unwary passengers. Sources said the problem of all tickets getting booked quickly is confined to certain routes and trains. “So, the focus is on weeding out users who are beating the system. Passengers can’t be blamed as there is a genuine shortage of confirmed tickets. So, the effort has been to increase capacity and to run more trains, particularly during peak travel seasons,” said an official. 

Officials claimed that IRCTC has taken “systemic measures” including engagement of leading content delivering network and anti-BOT applications — security techniques used to distinguish between genuine human users and automated bots or scripts —with cutting edge technology to ensure a smooth booking process for genuine travellers. 

They added that the railways’ ticketing  and catering arm achieved its highest ever per minute booking of 31,814 tickets on May 22, 2025 at 10 am. “Attempt versus booking ratio has increased from 43.1% to 62.2% between Oct 2024 and May 2025,” said an official. He added that none of the travel platforms can guarantee confirmed ticket bookings and hence people should not fall prey to them.

Now, travel in Third AC at the fare of sleeper

Now, travel in Third AC at the fare of sleeper

With Railways deciding to prioritise filling seats in AC coaches through auto upgrades, such CB vacancies are unlikely to become available in AC coaches, except in very rare situations.

The current booking facility was introduced for last-minute bookings, if there are any vacancies after the preparation of the first chart File photo

B Anbuselvan

Updated on:

17 May 2025, 8:43 am

CHENNAI: In a key policy shift, Indian Railways have issued instructions to fill all vacant seats and berths in AC coaches of trains through the “auto upgrade” facility with holders of confirmed tickets from lower classes like Sleeper Class (SL) and Second Sitting (2S) during the preparation of the first chart, which is usually done four hours before the departure of a train from its source.

The move is likely to make the Current Booking (CB) facility unavailable in AC coaches, such as Chair Car (CC), Third AC (3A), Second AC (2A), and First AC (1A). However, the CB will be available for SL and 2S.

The CB facility was introduced for last-minute bookings, if there are any vacancies after the preparation of the first chart. It is allowed usually up to 30 minutes before departure.

Seats will be available under the CB category for any train only if there are vacant seats – after emergency quotas and different types of waitlists are processed – available after the preparation of the first chart.

With Railways deciding to prioritise filling seats in AC coaches through auto upgrades, such CB vacancies are unlikely to become available in AC coaches, except in very rare situations when seats remain vacant even after upgrades.

The new changes communicated by the Railway Board to Southern Railway and all other zonal railways on Thursday will not only ensure that all the seats and berths in AC classes get occupied to the maximum extent possible but also enhance the chances of confirmed tatkal ticket holders in SL and 2S to get upgraded to 3A or CC, respectively.

The Railway Board has also ordered that upgrades can be done only up to two levels. For example, SL can be upgraded to 3A and 2A. Similarly, 2S tickets may be upgraded to Vistadome 2S or CC. Upgrades to 1A and Executive Class are, however, restricted to only one level below, that is, from 2A to 1A or from CC to EC. For instance, a person with confirmed ticket in 3A cannot get upgraded to 1A.

Auto upgrade – such as from SL to 3A and from 3A to 2A – facility was introduced in 2006. However, this facility is limited to passengers who paid the highest fare in their class, which would mean those who paid tatkal fare or full fare of the tickets without availing of any concessions.

An official from the Southern Railway stated, “Currently, most AC seats and berths get fully booked across the zone. However, during off-peak periods, on trains with higher AC seat availability, passengers with non-AC tickets might receive upgrades.”

Rail passenger suffers head injury as middle berth collapses on her

Rail passenger suffers head injury  as middle berth collapses on her

The middle berth that collapsed on a woman passenger on Train No. 22651 Chennai-Palakkad Express.

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI  13.05.2025

A woman passenger suffered a head injury after the middle berth of a sleeper class coach fell while she was asleep. The incident happened on Train No. 22651 Chennai-Palakkad Express shortly after it crossed Jolarpet early on Monday. The victim’s husband alleged that first aid was not provided by the railway authorities for more than an hour until the train reached Salem where an ambulance was arranged.

According to railway sources, Suria Murugan, 39, of Chennai, was sleeping on berth no. 1 (lower berth) when the unoccupied middle berth suddenly fell on her around 1.15 a.m. Other passengers alerted her husband Jyothi Jayashankar who was sleeping in another coach. On seeing Ms. Suria bleeding with a head injury, he sought medical assistance from the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and other railway employees on the train. “There was no first aid kit in the train. They did not even provide a cotton roll. The TTE said we could get down at the next stop [Morappur] and seek help there. But what can we do at an unknown place in the middle of the night? My wife managed to control the bleeding with a piece of cloth and we travelled for almost an hour-and-a-half so far as Salem,” Mr. Jayashankar told The Hindu.

Taken to hospital

On arrival at Salem around 2.40 a.m., the ambulance paramedics did basic dressing and shifted Ms. Suria to the Government Hospital. “We later took an autorickshaw and went to a private hospital. My wife had a deep cut on the forehead and underwent sutures. There was no assistance from the Railways. It is shocking that a train with about 1,000 passengers does not have even paramedics or a first aid box,” he said.

Railway sources said the chain and locking mechanism of the middle berth was found to be normal when inspected at Dindigul Junction. The coach was allowed to run through the service without any change.

Southern Railway spokesperson M. Senthamil Selvan said the “berth may have fallen owing to improper locking of the berth hook by the passenger”. The coach was 19 years old and fit for operation. A total of 154 ICF-designed rakes were operational in the zone, and a complete migration to LHB rakes would happen in three years, he said.

On Monday evening, the Chief Public Relations Officer said medical assistance was promptly arranged by the commercial and medical control staff, but the passenger refused to disembark at Morappur. “The unfortunate incident appears to have occurred owing to the passenger’s improper handling of the chain link, which is the designated locking mechanism for the middle berth,” the CPRO said.