Indian Railways is one of the world’s biggest railway networks, efficiently managing everything from rail tracks and stations to hundreds of trains and thousands of employees. It consistently receives praise from national and international organizations for its excellent operations. The technology adopted by Indian Railways is always focused on making journeys more convenient for travellers. One of its most innovative developments is the Real-Time Train Information System (RTIS), which allows users to track their trains live. Today, people no longer need to visit stations or stand in long queues to know train timings. With just a single click on their smartphones, they can instantly check the train running status and stay updated throughout their journey.
Importance of Knowing the Train Running Status
When you plan to travel by train, staying informed is extremely important. One of the most frustrating situations for any traveller is reaching the station only to discover that the train is delayed—with no prior information. By checking the train running status in real time, you can easily track arrival and departure updates. This helps reduce unnecessary waiting time and lets you adjust your schedule if the train is running behind its usual time.
What Is Train Running Status?
In Indian Railways, the real-time tracking of GPS-enabled trains is known as train running status or live running status. It shows the train’s current station, its expected arrival time at upcoming stations, and the scheduled departure timetable. This allows passengers to monitor the journey of any train accurately and instantly.
What Information Does Train Running Status Provide?
Real-time tracking helps you find the exact location of your train and plan your travel more efficiently. When you check the live train running status, you get:
1. List of Stations En Route
Using the ‘spot your train’ feature, you can see the complete list of stations, date of journey (DOJ), train timings, arrival/departure schedule, and whether the train is running on time (shown in green) or running late (shown in red).
2. Current Departure/Halt Status
The current station where the train is located appears highlighted in blue and blinking. This indicates that the train has just departed or is currently halted at that station.
3. Status for the Next 3 Days
Live train running updates allow you to check the accurate running status of any train for up to the next three days. This helps you understand expected arrival timings at the destination and plan better.
How to Know Train Running Status?
You can check the train running status easily using the railmitra website. Follow these steps:
- Enter Your Train Number:
- Type your train number in the search box.
- Click on “Check Status”:
- After entering the number, select your train from the suggestions and click on “Check Schedule.” You will instantly get the live status of the train.
How to Check Train Running Status via NTES?
Indian Railways also provides live running status through NTES (National Train Enquiry System). Here’s how you can use it:
- Enter the five-digit train number or train name in the search box.
- The current location of the train will appear on the screen.
- You can also view arrival timings, departure timings, and the entire journey history.
- To check another train, click on the New Search tab.
- Use the shortcut tab to view the most recent live running status instantly.