The Ministry of Railways has issued orders extending a modified Tatkal Scheme of reservations in all mail and express trains from November 15, 2004. Accordingly, there will be Tatkal Quota in each train in 2AC, 3AC, AC Chair Car and Sleeper Classes. In each 2AC coach, there will be four berths under Tatkal Quota, six berths per coach in 3AC, six seats per coach in AC Chair Car and ten per cent of total accommodation, equivalent to one coach, in Sleeper Class. The unutilized Tatkal quota will get released to waitlisted passengers.
Tatkal charges have also been revised. From existing Rs.200/- per berth in 2AC, the charges will go up to Rs.300/-, in 3AC, from Rs.150/- to Rs.300/-, in AC Chair Car, from Rs.50/- to Rs.150/- and in Sleeper Class from Rs. 50/- to Rs.150/- in peak season. However, during the non-peak season from July 15 to September 15, the charges for 2 AC have been pegged at Rs.200/- per berth, Rs. 200/- per berth for 3AC, AC Chair Car Rs.75/- and Sleeper Car Rs.75/-.
Zonal Railways have been directed to take necessary action for implementing Tatkal Quota in each train in all classes except 1AC.
The booking for Tatkal reservations in all the Computerised Passenger Reservation System will commence on November 14, 2004 for journey beginning November 15, 2004 at the originating point and so on.
The decision to extend Tatkal Reservation scheme to all mail and express trains in the current financial year follows announcement by the Railway Minister, Shri Lalu Prasad, in his Budget speech on July 6, 2004. This decision is intended to benefit people travelling on short notices and in emergency.
(Release ID :4622)