Train reservation

Sir, - Several new express trains have been proposed in the Railway Budget. A new reservation system that will do away totally with concepts of `wait-listing' and RAC and ensure confirmed reservation to every intending passenger, of a sleeper berth in the class, train and date of his choice can be built on the basis of the following approach: Insist on proof of genuineness of the passenger; meet every request with confirmed reservation at all computerised reservation offices including at intermediate stations, without applying any quota restriction; close the booking for a train a few - say five - days in advance of the date of departure of the train; assess the exact requirement in different classes to meet the committed reservations and decide on the train (rake) composition and mobilise resources to enable the train to be formed and run with the composition so decided; if an occasional heavy demand, which is beyond the maximum permissible for a single rake, has to be met, plan for and run two trains close to each other; display appropriate reservation charts on the date concerned, well before the scheduled departure to guide the passengers regarding coach No/berth No (These details will not be shown on the ticket issued, at the time of booking); impose stiff penalties for cancellation and provide for meeting last-minute requests, at substantially enhanced fare, to a limited extent.

A system evolved on the above lines will, no doubt, prove to be the most popular move made by the Railways in recent years.

S. Natarajan,

Nasik Road

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Section  : Opinion
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