In a major relief to passengers, the Indian Railways on Thursday modified the rules for reservation in Special Rajdhani and Special mail and express type trains as it extended the advance reservation period from 30 days to 120 days.

A Railway Ministry spokesperson said that the reservation rules for the 30 Special Rajdhani and 200 Special mail and express trains had been modified as it has been decided to increase the advance reservation period (ARP) of all specials notified from 30 days to 120 days. He said the booking of parcel and luggage shall be permitted in all these 230 trains.

The official said that the above changes shall be implemented with effect from 8 a.m. of train booking date of May 31 onwards.

He further said that the other terms like current booking, Tatkal quota allocation of seats to roadside stations etc will be the same as in regular timetabled trains. 

Railways had suspended the passenger, mail and express train services from March 25 amid the nationwide lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

It had started to run Shramik Special trains from May 1 to transport the stranded migrant workers, students, pilgrims and tourists.

It also started to run 30 Special Rajdhani Express from May 12 and plans to run 200 special mail and express trains from June 1.