VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Dec 19: Amid confusion triggered by certain media reports, Indian Railways has categorically clarified that it has not made it mandatory for passengers to carry a printed copy of unreserved train tickets. The clarification comes after reports suggested that travellers would now be required to carry hard copies of all unreserved tickets, including those booked digitally.
According to the official clarification, no such instructions have been issued by Indian Railways. The existing system regarding unreserved ticket travel continues unchanged, and passengers are only required to follow the norms already in place.
Indian Railways explained that passengers who purchase physical unreserved tickets, whether booked online or offline, and have taken a printed or paper ticket, are naturally required to carry that physical ticket during the journey for verification by ticket-checking staff. This requirement has always been in force and does not represent any new rule.
However, in the case of digital unreserved tickets booked online, where the passenger has not taken a physical printout, there is no compulsion to carry a printed copy. Such passengers can simply show the digital ticket on the same mobile phone from which the ticket was booked when asked for verification during the journey. The digital ticket available on the mobile device is considered valid proof of travel.
Railway authorities stressed that the confusion arose due to misinterpretation and incorrect reporting by certain sections of the media. They reiterated that digital tickets remain fully valid in electronic form, and passengers should not be misled into believing that printing them is compulsory.
The clarification is expected to bring relief to daily commuters and short-distance travellers who frequently use unreserved ticketing services through mobile applications and other digital platforms. Indian Railways has once again urged passengers to rely only on official notifications and verified information to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and panic.
With this clear statement, the Railways has sought to put to rest all speculation, reaffirming its continued push towards digital convenience while maintaining existing verification norms for unreserved travel.
