Premium Tatkal scheme introduced in 100 more trains
Posted on: 06/Jun/2017 5:48:41 PM
The Railways is the largest public sector transport organisation in the country. The system of reservations has been in practice for decades. The passengers, who could not get reservations, have the option of booking under the Tatkal scheme. There is a 30% quota reserved for the Tatkal booking.
The Tatkal scheme is really handy and useful for the passengers who plan a last-moment journey.
A new scheme, known as Premium Tatkal was introduced by the Railways in the year 2014.
However, the fare for booking under the Premium Tatkal scheme would be 3 times more than the normal fare.
The Premium Tatkal scheme was introduced for the 1st time in 8 trains in Southern Railway in 2014. During 2015, the scheme was introduced in 4 more trains. In 2016, Premium Tatkal was introduced in 11 trains. Until March 2017, it has been introduced in 2 more trains. Thus, presently, 25 trains have the Premium Tatkal scheme.
In this situation, the Southern Railway has gone ahead and introduced this Premium Tatkal Scheme in 100 more trains. It is gathered through RTI (Right to Information Act) that this introduction was done from 29th April. Thus, the Southern Railway seems to have introduced the Premium Tatkal scheme in 100 trains without any prior announcement.
Kanyakumari Express, Cheran Express, Nilgiri Express, Thiruvananthapuram Mail, and Grand Trunk Express trains are among the 100 trains where the Premium Tatkal scheme has been introduced.
So far, the Premium Tatkal Scheme has been introduced in 125 trains in Southern Railway. With 30% quota reserved for the Tatkal, an internal share of 15% is allotted for the Premium Tatkal scheme.
At the same time, the Train Passengers Association has strongly protested the introduction of the Premium Tatkal Scheme in 100 trains.
However, the Railways stand to earn more as the train fare under the Premium Tatkal scheme is 2 to 3 times more than the normal fare.
For example, the train fare for Pandiyan Express from Chennai to Madurai with normal berth facility is Rs. 315. However, under the Tatkal Premium Scheme, it will be Rs. 900.
The normal fare for travel in 3-tier air-conditioned coach is Rs. 810. Under the Tatkal scheme, the fare is Rs. 1125. Under the Premium Tatkal Scheme, it is Rs. 1800.
