Tatkal passengers will now have to carry ORIGINAL ID proof

Rail passengers travelling on Tatkal tickets must now carry their identity proof in original or face the prospect of being treated as ticket-less travellers and penalised. 

Dogged with complaints of alleged irregularities in the Tatkal scheme, Railways has directed that passengers travelling on such tickets must produce proof of their identity from February 11 onwards. 

Any one of the passengers travelling in a group have to produce the ID proof “failing which all passengers travelling on the said ticket will be treated as travelling without tickets and will be charged excess fare and penalty as per rules”, a statement issued in New Delhi said. 

The identity proof could be a voter photo identity card, passport, PAN card, driving licence, photo identity card issued by Central or State government, student identity card issued by recognised schools/colleges, nationalised bank passbook with photograph and credit cards issued by banks with laminated photograph. 

No identity proof is, however, required to be produced at the reservation counter while getting the Tatkal ticket booked, it said. 

The Tatkal scheme was introduced in 1997, with the provision that passengers booking tickets would indicate their identity card number at the time of booking and would be required to carry the same card during the journey. This provision was subsequently withdrawn in August 2004.

Railway officials said the latest move was aimed at putting to end complaints of bulk booking and the role of touts in cornering such tickets.

Railways had last year also barred e-ticket agents from accessing online Tatkal bookings from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. when booking commences for the day.

The move comes at a time when the Railway Ministry is understood to be considering a proposal to introduce Tatkal trains on busy routes, a mention of which is expected in the Railway Budget. 

If you look at the various identity cards, one cannot afford to loose when you travel. Especially when elderly persons are traveling, it is difficult for them to manage the safe custody of the Voter Id card or Ration Card. Getting again a voter id or ration card is not that easy.

Why not the Railways issue an identity card (through IRCTC) and charge Rs.25 as processing fee. When this card is lost, they can issue a duplicate (after checking the records) for a nominal fee. This Id number can be used for frequent traveller, managing travel booking, senior citizen proof etc., This can be used for other online travel bookings, as this is issued by a government agency.

An improvement in this regard would be highly appreciated in the ensuing Railway budget.

Others thoughts please.

Cheers,

Gopal