Indian Railways Update: Waiting Ticket Holders Face Strict Action and Fines
Indian Railways Update: Waiting Ticket Holders Face Strict Action and Fines
Indian Railways introduces stringent rules for waiting tickets; passengers with unconfirmed tickets to be deboarded and fined.
In a significant move, Indian Railways has announced the implementation of stricter rules for passengers holding waiting tickets. According to the new guidelines, passengers with waiting tickets will not be allowed to board reserved coaches, whether the ticket is purchased online or from a counter. This change aims to address the overcrowding issues in reserved coaches and ensure a more comfortable journey for confirmed ticket holders.
🚨 Only those passengers who have confirmed tickets should travel in sleeper and AC classes of trains. If you travel with a waiting ticket, you will have to get down at the next station with a penalty.
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) July 10, 2024
Indian Railways says strict checking will be done. pic.twitter.com/cUqV4Kdc7M
For many years, there have been two primary methods for purchasing railway tickets in India. The traditional method involves visiting a counter, filling out a form, and obtaining a ticket. Passengers have the option to accept a waiting ticket if confirmed seats are not available. The second method is online booking through the IRCTC website or app, where the availability of tickets is clearly displayed. If a waiting ticket is purchased online and remains unconfirmed, it is automatically cancelled, and the fare is refunded.
However, there has been a longstanding belief among some passengers that holding a waiting ticket, especially one purchased from a counter, allows them to board reserved coaches like Sleeper or AC classes. This belief has led to confusion and overcrowding in reserved compartments, prompting numerous complaints from confirmed ticket holders.
Under the new rules, if a passenger boards a reserved coach with a waiting ticket, they will be deboarded at the next station and fined. The fine includes the fare from the starting station to the point of travel plus a minimum penalty of Rs 440. This measure is intended to ensure that reserved coaches are available exclusively for passengers with confirmed tickets.
Passengers with waiting tickets purchased from a counter do have the option to travel in general coaches, which do not require reservations. This rule has always been in place, but the Indian Railways is now emphasizing stricter enforcement due to recent complaints about overcrowded reserved coaches.
The source of these new regulations can be traced back to an increase in complaints from passengers who struggled to find their reserved seats due to overcrowding by waiting ticket holders. The Indian Railways received numerous complaints through Rail Madad and social media platforms, leading to this crackdown on unauthorized boarding.
For the new rules to be truly effective, Indian Railways needs to adopt a more passenger-centric approach. This could involve increasing the frequency of trains, especially on high-demand routes, to ensure that more passengers can get confirmed tickets. Additionally, better coordination and planning are required to handle the surge in complaints and ensure that penalties are imposed fairly and consistently.
For those with waiting tickets, it is advisable to cancel the ticket from the counter at least half an hour before the train’s departure and make alternative travel arrangements. This rule ensures that reserved coaches are used only by passengers with confirmed reservations, enhancing the overall travel experience.
