RailEnquiry

Under ATAS (Alternate train accommodation scheme) railway will start new reservation system that will be called as “Vikalp.” For most of readers how it will work is the main question.

Under Vikalp reservation scheme, passengers who are on waitlist will be provided an opportunity to travel from premium trains like Rajdhani, Durunto, Suvidha or Shatabdi trains at no extra cost provided if there are vacant berths in those trains.

Already a pilot project of Vikalp reservation is underway on select routes. The aim is utilise vacant berths in other trains.

In its initial phase this scheme will be available only on e-tickets booked online.

Following are the important points of Vikalp reservation system that will be applicable on those passengers who have opted for it -

• At the time of booking, waitlisted passengers will be given an option to opt for the Vikalp scheme.
• Either all passengers of a PNR or none will be transferred to alternate train in same class.
• The point to be noted is that opting Vikalp does not mean a guaranteed berth on other trains.
• You can be transferred to any alternate train available within 12 hours from the scheduled departure of original train, in which you have booked.
• Boarding and terminating station may also change to cluster/nearby stations.
• Fully waitlisted passengers who have opted for Vikalp should check PNR status after charting.
• If a passenger is provided an alternate accommodation then that passenger cannot board the original train.
• When a Vikalp-opted passenger opts to cancel, after he has been given an alternate accommodation, he will be treated as a confirmed passenger and the cancellation rules will apply accordingly.
• Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate train will be treated as normal passengers in alternate train and will be eligible for class upgrade.

Treating passengers in Vikalp as confirmed passengers is unfair. First, vikalp passenger is at the mercy rlys. He has no choice of his own. He cannot determine his own schedule & if he doesn't like your arrangement he should be given back his fare, full. He must not be treated as confirmed passenger.