Following the non-announcement of
special trains to be run for the festival Pongal, Tatkal registration for
booking tickets will start on 9th January.The festival will be
celebrated over 4 days: Bhogi on 13th January, Pongal on 14th
January, ‘Mattu Pongal’ on 15th January, and ‘Kanum Pongal’ on 16th
January. Saturday, 11th January and Sunday, 12th January
are holidays thus making way for 6 days of holidays in a row. People intending
to visit their native places have started booking for tickets on 10th
January, Friday.
The booking for train tickets got full
on 14th November itself, 60 days in advance. There are no seats
available even in the day-trains.300 to 500 passengers are on the waiting list.
The stranded passengers await announcement regarding special trains.
With the heavy demand for
ticket-booking, the tatkal registration will start on 9th January.
Those who plan to travel on 10th January, can book tickets on tatkal
on 9th January. Thos who plan to leave by 11th January,
can book on 10th.Tatkal has a certain number of berths or seats
depending on the number of coaches. There is no Tatkal facility for 1st
Class & 1st Class AC. Booking is available 2nd class
seats & berths, 2-tier AC, seats for AC 2nd class, and 3 tier
AC.
Tatkal bookings include surcharge –
10% excess for 2nd Class and 30% for the other classes.