Steps Taken by Indian Railway to Avoid Misuse of Tatkal Tickets

Introduction

On Indian Railways, reserved accommodations, including Tatkal reservations, can be booked through the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak periods when the demand exceeds the availability, particularly in higher classes and on popular routes, available reservations are quickly exhausted after the reservation opens. However, during off-peak times and on less popular routes or lower classes, reservations remain available for a longer duration. 

This phenomenon is more notable for Tatkal reservations, as there is limited earmarked accommodation. This situation arises because the limited accommodation is simultaneously accessed through more than 10,300 counters at 3,465 computerised Passenger Reservation Centres and via the internet. 

(toc)

Understanding the Tatkal Ticket System 

Tatkal tickets are intended for passengers who need to make emergency or last-minute travel plans. These tickets can be booked one day in advance, starting from 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes. 

Historical Misuse 

The Tatkal system was initially plagued by various issues, such as the creation of software tools and agents exploiting the system to book tickets in bulk and resell them at higher prices. This made it difficult for genuine passengers to secure Tatkal tickets. 

Measures Taken by Indian Railways 

To prevent the misuse of the Tatkal Scheme, various built-in features have been incorporated. These include not granting refunds for canceled confirmed Tatkal tickets except in specific special circumstances outlined in the scheme and not permitting modifications to Tatkal tickets. 

Additionally, several steps have been taken to facilitate passengers and deter misuse, such as: 

 1. Staggering reservation timings under the Tatkal scheme. 

2. Implementing Captcha verification during registration, login, and booking to deter fraudulent bookings through automated software. 

3. Introducing minimum time limits before proceeding to the payment gateway and after making payments for internet-based ticket bookings. 

4. Mandating the use of OTP (one-time password) for all net banking payment options. 

5. Disabling authorized agents from booking Tatkal tickets during the first half-hour after the reservation opens. 

 To combat the activities of touts, joint and individual checks are conducted by the Vigilance, Security, and Commercial Departments. Action against culprits is taken in accordance with the provisions of Section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989.

 FAQs 

  Q: Can I still book Tatkal tickets through agents? 

  A: Yes, but there are restrictions on the number of tickets agents can book. 

  Q: Is Aadhar card verification mandatory for Tatkal ticket booking? 

  A: Aadhar card verification is recommended but not mandatory for all passengers. 

  Q: Can I book Tatkal tickets at any time of the day? 

  A: No, Tatkal tickets can only be booked during specific hours. 

  Q: How has CAPTCHA verification improved Tatkal ticket bookings? 

  A: CAPTCHA verification prevents automated bots from booking tickets in bulk. 

  Q: Are these measures effective in reducing ticket misuse? 

 A: Yes, these measures have significantly reduced the misuse of Tatkal tickets and made them more   accessible to genuine passengers