Crores of people travel by Indian Railways every day. In such a situation, the biggest problem is that of waiting for tickets. Often, even after booking tickets during festivals or the holiday season, confirmation is not received, and all the travel planning gets spoiled at the last moment. This is a problem that almost every passenger has to face. But do you know that the railways also have some solutions for those with waiting tickets that can get you a confirmed seat? Let’s know about the two most useful facilities of the railways that can make your journey comfortable.
Tatkal Booking
Tatkal tickets are a great support for those passengers who have to travel immediately. This facility opens a day before the date of travel, and booking is done for a limited seats. When the general ticket is not confirmed, many passengers travel by booking Tatkal tickets. This is a direct booking option, where you can get a confirmed ticket directly.
Vikalp Yojana
Vikalp Scheme is a very special facility of the railways. In this scheme, passengers with waiting tickets are given a confirmed seat in another train. That is, if the ticket in your booked train is not confirmed, then the railway can get you a seat in another train on the same route. This option is most beneficial for you when you do not want to cancel the journey and want to travel at any cost.
What is the difference between Tatkal and Vikalp
Both Tatkal and Vikalp Yojana help passengers to get confirmed tickets, but there is a big difference between the two. You book Tatkal tickets directly, and there is a possibility of confirmation. Whereas, in Vikalp Yojana, you have to choose this option at the time of booking. If your ticket is not confirmed, the railway system automatically allocates you a seat in another train. You do not have to pay any additional fee for this facility.
During the busy festive season, like Diwali and Chhath Yatra, Tatkal and Vikalp Yojana can prove to be a boon for the passengers. Although this is not a 100 percent guarantee, the chances of getting a confirmed ticket increase significantly. So the next time you buy a waiting ticket, keep these two options in mind.