India, Aug. 7 -- If you've ever rushed to the station hoping for a last-minute train ticket, only to be told it's too late to book, there's now a better outcome waiting. In a move that could change how commuters plan short-notice journeys, Indian Railways now allows ticket bookings for Vande Bharat Express trains up to 15 minutes before departure, and you don't even need to stand in long queues.

This new facility, rolled out by the Southern Railway zone, aims to help travellers with urgent plans secure a seat without the frustration of vacant trains speeding away. 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 ...