The Railways on Monday announced that Tatkal reservation on trains will open only two days before the journey, instead of the past practice of when Tatkal tickets were available five days in advance.

The new rule, announced by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Railway Budget presented to Parliament early this month, comes into effect from July 29.

So, if you book Tatkal tickets on July 29, you can do so for journey commencing latest by July 31.

The advance reservation period under Tatkal scheme is being tapered from July 27 when one can buy the Tatkal ticket up to four days: that is, for journey up to July 31. The period gets reduced to three days on tickets bought on July 28, and becomes two days from July 29.

For instance, the Tatkal tickets will, thereafter, be available for journey on or up to August 1 from July 30, for journey on or up to August 2 from July 31, for journey on or up to September 3 from August 1 and so on.