IRCTC Confirm Train Ticket! Know How To Get A Confirmed Train Ticket This Festive Season

As the festive season unfolds, many people are eager to visit their hometowns. This has led to a significant increase in train travel across India. Securing a confirmed ticket has become challenging, causing stress among travellers. To address this, Indian Railways (IRCTC) has introduced the Vikalp Scheme. This initiative aims to assist passengers with waitlisted tickets by enhancing their chances of obtaining confirmed seats on alternative trains.

The Vikalp Scheme is an initiative by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). It offers passengers an alternative train option if they can't secure confirmed seats on their original booking. This scheme provides flexibility by transferring waitlisted passengers to alternate trains with available seats on the same route. However, opting for the Vikalp scheme does not guarantee a confirmed seat; it only increases the chances of getting one.

How IRCTC's Vikalp Scheme Operates

When a passenger chooses the Vikalp Scheme, their waitlisted ticket might be shifted to another train running within 12 hours of the originally scheduled departure. This feature is particularly useful during busy periods like Diwali and Chhatt when last-minute confirmations are rare. If a seat becomes available on an alternate train, the passenger's ticket will be automatically confirmed. However, if the ticket is later cancelled, standard cancellation charges will apply.

The Vikalp Scheme enhances the probability of securing a confirmed ticket. Passengers might find their boarding or destination stations shifted to nearby alternatives based on availability. This flexibility helps alleviate uncertainty often associated with waitlisted bookings during peak travel times like Diwali and Chhatt Puja.

To opt for the Vikalp Scheme when booking IRCTC train tickets, follow these steps:

• Visit the IRCTC website or app and log in.
• Select your travel date, source, destination, and preferred class of travel.
• Enter passenger details and make payment to confirm your booking.
• When prompted, choose the Vikalp Scheme option.
• A list of alternate trains will appear; select one if available.
• Once the chart is prepared, check your PNR status for confirmation on an alternate train.

Main Features of the Vikalp Scheme

The Vikalp scheme is available only for Mail and Express trains and applies specifically to waitlisted passengers without any additional charges for opting in. Passengers who choose Vikalp are automatically considered for alternate trains. Once transferred to an alternate train, they cannot board their original train.

Benefits During Festive Season

During festivals like Diwali, travellers often face stress due to waitlisted tickets. The Vikalp Scheme provides relief by increasing chances of confirmed seats: Waitlisted passengers have a higher likelihood of securing seats on alternate trains without extra charges; they only pay for their original ticket with no additional fees for alternates; seamless transfers reduce rebooking hassles during busy seasons.

This innovative approach by IRCTC aims to ease travel woes during peak times by offering more options for those with waitlisted tickets.