Big news for train passengers. Starting January 1, 2025, Indian Railways will be updating its train timetable. This new schedule will take effect after noon on December 31, 2024, but railway officials have kept the details confidential for now.
Typically, timetables are released ahead of time to help passengers plan their journeys, but this time, that’s not the case. Many railway officials are unsure about which trains are being rescheduled or which stops are being added or removed, as the changes have not yet been reflected in the system.
In an effort to enhance passenger convenience, the speed of several trains, including the Shatabdi Express, has been increased. However, this has not translated into shorter travel times for passengers. The primary reason is that the official timetable for these trains remains unchanged, meaning those traveling long distances are not benefiting from the increased speeds.
Since last year, train speeds have been boosted on routes such as New Delhi to Chandigarh, New Delhi to Ludhiana, Rajpura to Bathinda, Sirhind to Nangaldam, and Ambala to Saharanpur. This speed enhancement applies not only to the Shatabdi Express but also to various express and passenger trains.
Additionally, speeds have been raised on routes from Delhi to Mumbai, Howrah, and Varanasi. Despite these improvements, passengers are still experiencing longer travel times.
There is uncertainty about whether the upcoming timetable will reflect reduced travel durations. For instance, the Shatabdi Express now operates at 130 km/h instead of 110 km/h. Questions remain about whether the timetable will be adjusted accordingly. Following the completion of the Rajpura-Bathinda double line, speeds have increased from 110 to 130 km/h, while the Sirhind to Nangaldam section has seen an increase from 90 to 110 km/h, and the Ambala to Saharanpur route is now running at 130 km/h. Observers are keen to see if the timetable will be updated to reflect these changes.
It can be inconvenient for passengers
Passengers whose tickets are booked after 12 noon on December 31 may face problems due to the change in train timings. However, the Railways argue that messages will be sent to the passengers. Despite this, there may be inconvenience not only to the passengers but also to the staff. Changes will have to be made in the sign boards at the stations.
