Do you want a confirmed train ticket to go home for Chhath and Diwali? This scheme could help News24 –

The festive season has begun and most of you may have packed your bags for the holidays, while some of you are struggling with train tickets. Every year there is an increase in the number of train passengers during the Diwali and Chhath celebrations. Some get the confirmed tickets easily while others are stuck on a waiting list and this chain continues. If you are also struggling with train tickets, then the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) Vikalp scheme has the solution for you.

What is VIKALP?

VIKALP is an initiative launched by the IRCTC, which provides passengers with an alternative train option if they are unable to get confirmed seats with their original booking. This scheme is implemented for passengers of all train types and classes. It applies to all waiting list passengers, regardless of booking quota and concession. Interestingly, passengers can choose up to seven trains under this scheme. Once confirmed on an alternate train, cancellation fees will be charged based on your berth/train status on an alternate train. While passengers’ boarding and terminal stations may change to nearby stations.

No additional fees will be charged if the passenger chooses this program.

The passenger can be transferred to any chosen alternative train, departing between 30 minutes and 72 hours after the scheduled departure of the original train on which he/she has booked.

The passengers chosen for VIKALP who have been provided with accommodation on the alternative train will not appear in the waiting lists of their original train. A separate list of passengers transferred to an alternate train will be pasted along with the CONFIRMED and WAITING LIST cards.

Passengers who are offered alternative accommodation will be treated as normal passengers on the alternative train and will be eligible for a higher grading.

If the passenger decides to cancel the Vikalp option, the cancellation rules will apply accordingly. The option for the VIKALP schedule will be available at a later stage before mapping, also via the link to the booked ticket history. For final status, passengers who have been offered alternative accommodation should also check the PNR status after the cards of the alternative train have been prepared.

However, IRCTC has clarified that the choice of VIKALP does not mean that a confirmed berth will be offered to passengers in an alternative train. This depends on the availability of trains and berths.

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