Title - Railways spoils summer holiday plans

PATNA: Patnaites are finding it difficult to get confirmed train tickets these days. Tickets are either not available or there is no room for passengers intending to go to places like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Pune, Goa and Puri.With summer holidays likely to begin in schools and colleges, many parents have planned a trip outside the state. However, non-availability of confirmed tickets is throwing a spanner in their plan. Tickets under the 'tatkal' scheme are also not available for any important place, some of them complained.Since 'tatkal' tickets are available at railway counters from 8am to 9am a day ahead of journey, it is difficult for passengers to stand in queues for hours to book tickets. Online tatkal ticket booking is not available from 8am to 9am, a passenger said. "Wait list tickets are available, but there is no certainty about getting them confirmed. Unless the railways attaches more extra bogies to trains especially for Pune, Goa, Delhi and Puri, chances of getting confirmed berths are remote this summer," he added.A homemaker, Veena Sinha, said she had planned a visit to a hill station this summer with her family, but confirmed tickets are not available till mid-June. "I tried my best to get confirmed tickets under the 'tatkal' scheme, but in vain. I cannot afford flights. Touts, who were active at the Patna Junction, have disappeared now due to regular raids conducted by the railways. I have rather decided to visit some tourist spots in the state," she said.Similarly, Rajiv and Rakesh, too, had planned to go to Goa during the summer holiday. But non-availability of confirmed tickets in any train to Goa or Delhi has dampened their spirit.According to Danapur PRO R K Singh, rush of passengers is too heavy during this time of the year. The railways is attaching extra coaches to a few trains on the basis of requirements. It is also quite concerned about providing more amenities to passengers on railway platforms as well as on running trains, he said and added that the divisional railway manager, Danapur, L M Jha has issued directives to keep every booking counter, including passenger reservation system, open during peak hours.