Train ticket not confirmed? Railways to provide berths in 'alternate trains' from Nov 1

New Delhi, Oct 15: There is good news for train commuters ahead of busy festive seasons as the Government is working towards booking train tickets easier.

Indian Railways going to provide confirmed tickets to passengers on the waitlist, who are forced to travel with waiting tickets, on an alternative trains on the same route to make their travel smoother and hassle-free.

As per a TOI report, the Indian Railways is going to launch the 'Alternate Trains Accommodation Scheme' (Vikalp) on November 1. Under this scheme, a passenger who's ticket isn't confirmed on a long distance train will be provided with a berth in an alternative train, plying towards the same route.

The new system while booking tickets a passenger would be allowed to select alternative trains they wish to travel, if in case their seat in the existing train isn't confirmed. The option will be available also for passengers travelling from stations which are not origins or destinations.

As per the report, a circular sent out by Railway Board to zonal railways said that the scheme as suggested by Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) "will be implemented across mail/express trains of the same category, and no extra charges shall be taken from passengers, and no refund shall be provided for the difference of fares". Separate seats will not be earmarked for the scheme.

The railways is preparing a list of trains and stations to be covered under the new scheme.

As per a officials, generally the passengers like travelling in popular trains which renders special trains go vacant. Under the new scheme the waitlisted passengers will be shifted to these special and newly launched trains to avoid over crowding in the trains.

This will also help to decongest a popular train in which generally waiting list goes beyond 300 during festive seasons. Once implemented this scheme will surely help in reducing the holiday rush in trains.

OneIndia News