Wish To Board Your Train? Arrive 20 Minutes Before Departure; Rail Fares Becoming Cheaper?

In the movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ), the train sequence between Raj (Shahrukh Khan) and Simran (Kajol) was one of the landmark scenes in the movie: Raj has already boarded the train, and it is slowly leaving the station. Kajol is running after her coach, and suddenly Raj extends his hand and pulls her inside.

Bollywood experts have repeatedly told that this particular scene was a big hit, and formed a legend in Bollywood.

Now, in case Raj and Simran from some other movie attempt this particular scene in India, then it won’t be possible anymore.

Because soon, you won’t be allowed to board a train if you arrive 20 minutes late.

Arrive Before 20 Minutes of Departure

As per incoming reports, Indian Railways has decided to implement Airport-type security mechanism for trains as well.

Passengers would be required to arrive 20 minutes before the departure time, so that proper security checks can be implemented.

While flying, airlines normally stop issuing boarding pass 45 minutes before the departure, and very soon, the same would be applied in trains as well.

Enhanced Security For Rail Passengers

These new directives have been planned under the Integrated Security System (ISS), which was approved in 2016. Although the number of security personals won’t be increased, the overall security will be enhanced using modern surveillance methods, and more strict checking.

Passengers shall be asked to arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the departure time, and random security checks would be conducted.

As per Arun Kumar, Director General, Railway Protection Force (RPF), this 20-minutes arrival rule has already been implemented in Allahabad in UP and Hubli in Karnataka, and excellent results have been derived.

Around Rs 380 crore has been allocated for this new security process, which will also have:

CCTV cameras

Access control

Personal and baggage screening system

Bomb detection and disposal system

Rail Fares Will Become Cheaper?

Minister of State of Railways Rajen Gohain has informed that flexi-fare in trains has been ‘rationnalized’, and canceled in some 15 trains.

Flexi-fare or dynamic fare is the system of the increasing price of a ticket, as per the demand.

After facing a lot of criticism over this, Railways has rationalized this dynamic pricing in some trains, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto.

Under the new flexi-fare, the price of the tickets will actually come down, in case a specific percentage of tickets are unsold/vacant.

Now, in case of occupancy is less than 70%, then the passenger can avail discount upto 20%; and if the occupancy is between 70-80%, then 10% discount can be availed.

Dynamic fares have been completely removed for 32 trains, wherein occupancy is less than  50%.

We will keep you updated, as more details come in.