In its efforts to make train travel more flexible and passenger-friendly, Indian Railways has taken a major step. Travellers can now book tickets online for Vande Bharat Express trains up to 15 minutes before departure, a move that specifically benefits last-minute travellers. This feature, introduced for selected trains under the Southern Railway zone, is expected to make spontaneous travel plans smoother and improve utilization of available seats.

Until recently, once a Vande Bharat Express train departed from its starting station, the reservation system would block all further bookings, even if seats remained vacant at intermediate stops. That restriction has now been lifted, at least on select routes for now.

The facility, however, is only available on a couple of Vande Bharat Express trains operating in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. As of now, this last-minute booking feature is active for eight Vande Bharat trains, and more may follow depending on passenger response.

Currently, 144 Vande Bharat Express trains operate across India, which offer fast connectivity between major cities. With the latest system update, passengers boarding from intermediate stations can take advantage of last-minute planning without relying on waitlists or backup transport options.

With this upgrade, the system also helps maximise seat occupancy, especially between intermediate stops, and aligns with the broader goal of streamlining services through digital infrastructure.