However, one passenger’s railway reservation experience before Chhath left him confused and frustrated. His ticket, which had gradually improved to RAC 12, reportedly moved back to waiting 18 when the final chart was prepared.
The issue was shared publicly on X by journalist Himanshu Jha, after which RailwaySeva responded to the complaint.
Passenger’s RAC Status Leaves Him Confused
The passenger had booked a ticket on the Swatantrata Senani Express for a journey from New Delhi to Darbhanga.
According to the details shared with the post, the ticket had initially been at a much higher waiting-list position. Over time, the status gradually improved.
रेलवे में आखिर क्या चल रहा है? 30 अक्टूबर को टिकट RAC 31 था। कल RAC 12 पर अटका था। जब आज चार्ट तैयार हुआ तो वेटिंग 18 हो गया। यह कैसा रिजर्वेशन सिस्टम है? छठ के मौके पर अगर एक बिहारी घर नहीं आ पाए तो क्या हाल होगा, वह आप समझेंगे रेल मंत्री @AshwiniVaishnaw जी? @IndianRailMedia pic.twitter.com/buYtdN4Yp2
— Himanshu Jha (@ImHimanshuJha) November 3, 2024
By the end of September, the waiting-list position had reportedly come down to 31. As the journey date approached, it improved further to RAC 12.
This gave the passenger hope that the ticket would eventually be confirmed.
RAC 12 Reportedly Became Waiting 18
The passenger’s expectation changed when the final chart was prepared.
Instead of moving closer to confirmation, the ticket reportedly showed waiting 18.
The unexpected change became particularly concerning because the journey was planned around Chhath, an important festival for families in Bihar.
The incident raised questions about how reservation positions can change as the final chart is prepared.
Journalist Himanshu Jha Raises The Issue
Journalist Himanshu Jha shared the passenger’s experience on X and tagged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
He questioned the change in the reservation status and highlighted the difficulty that passengers could face when travelling home for an important festival.
The post attracted attention online, with people discussing their own experiences with railway reservations and waiting-list movements.
RailwaySeva Responds To The Complaint
Following the post, RailwaySeva, the official railway support account on X, responded.
The account said that the concerned authorities were being informed and that the complaint had been registered on RailMadad.
RailwaySeva also stated that a complaint number had been sent to the passenger’s mobile phone through SMS.
The quick response indicated that the issue had been taken up with the concerned authorities.
Railway Official Contacts The Journalist
The matter received another update soon afterwards.
Himanshu Jha said that a railway official had contacted him regarding the passenger’s journey.
According to his update, the journalist was asked to advise the traveller to remain ready for the journey the following day.
Jha then thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw if the issue was resolved as expected.
Why Chhath Makes The Journey More Important
Chhath is one of the most important festivals celebrated across Bihar and several other parts of India.
For many families, returning home during the festival is a long-standing tradition. As a result, demand for train tickets can become extremely high around this period.
A change in reservation status close to the journey date can therefore create significant stress for passengers who have already made travel plans.
How Railway Reservation Status Can Change
A passenger’s reservation status can move as other passengers cancel tickets, new bookings are made, or the reservation chart is prepared.
RAC and waiting-list positions are not necessarily fixed from the moment a ticket is booked.
The final status is determined through the railway reservation and charting process. This means a passenger may see changes in their position before the final chart is prepared.
However, unexpected movements can still be confusing, especially when passengers are closely tracking their status before an important journey.
Social Media Brings Attention To Passenger Complaints
The incident also shows how social media has become an avenue for passengers to raise concerns publicly.
Instead of keeping the issue limited to a private complaint, the passenger’s experience was highlighted through a public post.
RailwaySeva then responded in the comment section and confirmed that the complaint had been registered.
Such interactions can help bring attention to passenger concerns and encourage quicker communication between travellers and railway authorities.
Conclusion
The reported change from RAC 12 to waiting 18 after chart preparation left a passenger worried about travelling home for Chhath.
After journalist Himanshu Jha highlighted the matter on X, RailwaySeva said the complaint had been registered on RailMadad and informed the concerned authorities.
A subsequent update stated that a railway official had also contacted the journalist and asked the traveller to remain ready for the journey.
The incident highlights the uncertainty passengers can sometimes experience while tracking railway reservation status, particularly during busy festival seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the passenger’s railway ticket?
According to the reported incident, the ticket had improved to RAC 12 but reportedly showed waiting 18 when the final chart was prepared.
Which train was the passenger travelling on?
The ticket was for the Swatantrata Senani Express from New Delhi to Darbhanga.
Why was the passenger travelling?
The journey was planned around Chhath, an important festival for families in Bihar.
Did Indian Railways respond to the complaint?
Yes. RailwaySeva responded on X and said that the complaint had been registered on RailMadad and that the concerned authorities had been informed.
Did a railway official contact the journalist?
According to the subsequent update shared by Himanshu Jha, a railway official contacted him and asked the traveller to remain ready for the journey.