A new verification system for Tatkal ticket bookings was announced by Western Railway, and it was indicated that the mechanism had been designed to strengthen transparency while addressing persistent misuse in the emergency reservation category. According to officials, the enhanced procedure was introduced under directives issued by the Railway Board, and it was conveyed that the first phase of implementation would be carried out on the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. The system is scheduled to be operational from 00:00 hours on 1 December 2025.
It was confirmed that the upgraded mechanism would be applicable across all ticketing platforms, including computerized PRS counters, recognized booking agents, the IRCTC website, and the IRCTC mobile application. Under this revised process, Tatkal tickets will only be issued once passengers complete authentication through a One-Time Password. This OTP will be delivered to the mobile phone number furnished during booking, and the ticket will be generated only after successful confirmation.
The initiative was explained by officials as an effort intended to promote equitable access to Tatkal seats, which have often been vulnerable to manipulation, bulk blocking, and misuse by intermediaries. Emphasis was placed on the importance of supplying a functional mobile number at the time of booking, as the verification step is dependent on the timely receipt of the OTP. Passengers were advised to remain attentive to this requirement, since incomplete authentication would result in the ticket not being released. Western Railway appealed to the public to cooperate with the revised arrangement so that a smoother, more transparent reservation experience could be ensured.
In a separate development, Western Railway informed that the schedule of a Special Train operating between Mumbai Central and Indore had been extended in response to continued travel demand. It was stated that Train No. 09085, departing from Mumbai Central on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays late at night and reaching Indore the following afternoon, would continue operating until 31 December 2025. Likewise, Train No. 09086, departing from Indore on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and reaching Mumbai Central early the next morning, will run until 1 January 2026.
The extension of these services has been positioned as a passenger-centric measure, ensuring availability during a period when increased movement is typically observed. Through both the introduction of the OTP-based Tatkal verification and the expansion of Special Train trips, Western Railway has indicated an emphasis on passenger convenience, disciplined ticketing processes, and enhanced transparency across its operations.