Indian Railways set to tackle holiday rush
The DoPT had earlier asked government employees to book railway tickets at the lowest fare available.
New Delhi: With the summer holiday season approaching, the Indian Railways is putting in place a slew of measures to help tackle the vacation rush, which includes finalising the reservation chart at least four hours before the scheduled departure time, waiving off extra charges in case of change in trains of waitlisted passengers and e-catering to improve available food options. In another significant decision, the government has given the go-ahead to government employees to avail LTC under the dynamic or flexi fare systems in Shatabdis and Rajdhani trains.
The DoPT had earlier asked government employees to book railway tickets at the lowest fare available. The clearance for claiming LTC under the dynamic fare system is likely to give a boost to holiday travel by government employees.
In its order, the DoPT has said, “The matter has been examined in consultation with department of expenditure, ministry of finance, and it has been decided that flexi fare (dynamic fare) applicable in Rajdhani/ Shatabdi/Duronto trains shall be admissible for the journey(s) performed in these trains on LTC.”
Among the several measures taken to help tackle the summer rush are finalisation of the first reservation chart at least four hours before the scheduled departure of the train and transfer of vacant available berths through online booking.
Apart from this, facilities being provided through the IRCTC website include waitlisted passengers being given the option of accommodation in any other train without payment of any difference of fare or grant of refund under the new “VIKALP” scheme.
Tickets booked across reserved ticket booking window can now also be cancelled through IRCTC website or through 139. In case of e-tickets, boarding points can be changed through IRCTC website at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. Passengers can also now book free of cost wheelchairs online as well as book retiring rooms and purchase disposable bedrolls through the IRCTC website.