Question : RUSH AT RAILWAY TICKET COUNTERS .

(a) Whether the Railways are aware that the passengers are facing a lot of difficulties to get/purchase tickets at New Delhi/Old Delhi Railway Station due to heavy rush at the ticket counters;

(b) If so, the steps taken by the Railways to do away overcrowding at ticket counters in these railway stations;

(c) Whether the Railways are contemplating to provide Unreserved Ticket System (UTS) at certain stations to reduce the rush at ticket counters of major stations;

(d) If so, the names of stations where such facilities are proposed to be provided during the current year;

(e) Whether target set for opening of such counters during 2005-06 has been achieved; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R.VELU)

(a) & (b): Adequate booking arrangements have been made at New Delhi and Delhi stations. Additional booking counters, however, are opened at these stations during rush periods to clear the extra rush.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. All balance A, B, C & D and few important E category stations, numbering 806 have been sanctioned for provision of Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) in 2006-2007. Zonal Railway-wise list of names of stations is enclosed as Appendix – I.

(e) & (f): The overall target of making UTS available at 425 stations on Indian Railways was exceeded and, against it, 591 stations were provided with this facility. Zonal Railway-wise break up is enclosed as Appendix – II.