New Delhi: The festive season in India has already begun, and major occasions like Diwali and Chhath Puja are just around the corner. In such a scenario, it becomes extremely difficult for normal passengers to book a train ticket due to high demand. While some are going home during the festivals, many are looking to go on a vacation.
Amid such a high demand for train tickets, it is normal for people to find themselves on the waiting list for tickets. But fret no more, since to help the passengers on the waiting list, the IRCTC ( Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation), has launched the Vikalp scheme. This will provide passengers with alternative train options to get seat or berth availability. The scheme enables to transfer of the train ticket booking of a passenger to an alternate train with available seats.
What is the Vikalp scheme?
Launched by IRCTC, the Vikalp scheme gives passengers alternative train options to get a seat or berth. If someone is on the waitlist, then the train ticket can be transferred to an alternate train with available seats. Vikalp does not mean the person will get confirmed seats. It means the person will get alternate trains with seat availability options. When opting for the Vikalp Scheme, there is the possibility of changing boarding points at nearby stations.
Under this scheme, the passengers can reallocate their tickets to alternate trains on the same route. This can be extremely beneficial for those who are looking for train tickets during the festive rush. If a person opts for the Vikalp scheme, then the person reduces the uncertainty that unconfirmed bookings entail. When a traveller opts for the Vikalp Scheme during booking, the ticket may be moved to another train departing within 12 hours of the original schedule.
What are the features of the Vikalp scheme?
- The Vikalp scheme is only available for Mail or Express trains and only waiting list passengers can avail of the benefit.
- Passengers on the waiting list who opt for the Vikalp Scheme will be considered for alternate trains.
- Under the Vikalp scheme, one can choose alternate trains for free and will only have to pay the original ticket price.
How to book tickets under the Vikalp scheme?
Step 1: First, the travellers have to go to the website of IRCTC or the application and log in
Step 2: In the next step, the person has to enter the travel date, destination, class of travel, seat availability and also the passenger and contact details.
Step 3: The person has to pay to confirm the ticket booking.
Step 4: The Vikalp Scheme option will be displayed on the screen which the person has to choose.
Step 5: The person will get a list of alternate trains and choose other trains for the same route.
