indian-railways seat allocation

Prior to the complete digitization of the ticket ordering process, customers with waiting tickets were permitted to board trains without a confirmed seat. Today, wait-listed tickets are revoked, and a refund is given in their place.

For a regular Indian Railways passenger, expecting a wait-listed train ticket to be confirmed is one of the closest things to gambling. However, Indian Railways has a remedy for this issue in the form of the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme, or VIKALP.

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With the aim of delivering confirmed lodgings to wait-listed passengers and ensuring the best use of available accommodations, the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS), commonly known as “VIKALP,” has been put into place on all Mail and Express trains.

According to this plan, passengers on the waitlist are dependent on the availability of open housing and must provide an option when purchasing their tickets. Before charting, the VIKALP scheme is an option that is accessible through the booked ticket history link as well as at a later time.

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However, what will happen if any passenger is reassigned under VIKALP? So, let’s find out more about it:

What will happen after reassigning under VIKALP?

  • Once given alternate accommodations aboard a different train, passengers are treated normally and are unable to join the original train. They are also qualified for advancement.
  • Once an alternate lodging has been provided, a VIKALP-opted passenger who chooses to cancel is considered a confirmed passenger, and the cancellation policies are applied as such.
  • The fare difference between the original train and the substitute train, as well as any relevant Tatkal fees, is not refunded to any passengers who have been reassigned.
  • A VIKALP traveller may not change their itinerary after receiving replacement accommodations.
  • A customer who has been given other accommodations may obtain reimbursement by submitting a TDR (ticket deposit receipt) request if he or she does not complete his or her journey on the alternate train.
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But now, you must recognise how this scheme holds importance for any passenger who travels on the Indian railways on a daily basis. So, let’s find out more about its intriguing features:

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Some amazing features of the VIKALP Scheme

Passengers who choose VIKALP will not automatically receive a confirmed berth on another train. It depends on the availability of trains and berths.

  • The program is accessible to all passengers on the waiting list, regardless of booking quota or discount, and it is valid for all train types and classes.
  • Passengers can choose up to 7 trains under this programme for the VIKALP program.
  • The opportunity to switch to a train departing between 30 minutes and 72 hours after the initial train for which the wait-listed ticket was purchased is available to passengers.
  • All passengers booked under the system have the option of getting an alternative booking, regardless of whether the passenger’s boarding or destination station is an originating, terminating, or roadside stop.
  • There are no additional fees or refunds given to passengers for pricing differences.
  • For allocation on the alternate train, only VIKALP-opted passengers who are still on the full waitlist after charting are taken into account.
  • PNR passengers are either all shifted to an alternative train in the same class or none are.
  • According to the passenger’s convenience to a station servicing the destination station, using the same analogy, the passenger may be considered for transfer to a train departing from any station within the cluster of stations established by Railways.
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As a seasoned content writer with a passion for storytelling, Vaishali strives to capture the essence of current events and share impactful stories with a global audience. With a background in journalism and a commitment to delivering accurate, timely, and engaging news content, she aims to shed light on diverse perspectives and provide insightful analysis. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in researching and writing, ensuring that readers receive comprehensive and compelling content to read. For the last 2 years, she has worked on various beats, from entertainment and sports to national and global politics.