New Delhi, May 22 (IANS): The Indin Railways on Friday decided to increase advance booking by passengers to 30 days from earlier seven days and also booking of waiting and reservation against cancellation tickets for 15 pairs of special air-conditioned trains.

Rajesh Dutt Bajpai, Executive Director, Media, Railway Ministry, said that the decision to increase advance reservation period (ARP) of 15 pairs of special trains being run since May 12 was taken for the convenience of passengers.

He said that the RAC or waiting list tickets will be issued in these trains as per extant instructions applicable.

"However, waitlisted passengers will not be allowed to board these trains as per extant instructions," he said, adding that there shall be no Tatkal booking in these trains.

He also said that the first reservation chart of these trains shall be prepared at least four hours before scheduled departure and second chart at least two hours (unlike earlier practice of 30 minutes) before the scheduled departure.

Bajpai said that the booking of tickets shall be permissible through computerized PRS counters, including Post Offices, Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra licensees etc, as well as through online booking by authorized agents of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation and Common Service Centres.

He said that the revised rules will be applicable from May 24 for trains starting date of May 31 onwards.