Seat Availability in Trains is a Major Concern When You Book Your Tickets
Indian Railways operates a large number of trains along different routes throughout the length and breadth of the country. This network connects every nook and corner of India and is a very convenient way to travel in the country. Several people prefer to travel by train as it is cheap, convenient and comfortable. Even though there are so many trains, seat availability in trains is a major issue when it comes to making a reservation.
During vacations, festivals and other peak seasons of the year, a large number of people move out of their homes for leisure tours, meeting family or relatives, going back home from their place of work or study, and for treatment and other such purposes. There is a huge rush at such times and getting a seat is near to impossible if you are late.
Booking of tickets starts 120 days prior to the departure of the train and is possible up to 4 hours until the final chart is prepared and the train starts its journey. Tickets can be booked online on the official website of the railway. It requires you to create an account by signing up providing your personal details. You are offered a username and password to access the account anytime. Before you start booking, you have to check out if seats are available.
On the website, you have the option of train enquiry which yields you all details like the train name and number, source, destination, stoppages, ticket fares and seat availability when you enter the 5-digit train number or the complete name of the train. If seats are available, you can proceed to booking by making the payment and take a printout of the e-ticket. There is the IRCTC website and many other travel and tourism sites which offer you these services.
Mobile services are also available and you can find several cell phone applications for the same. A call to the toll free number 139 directs you to an IVRS machine, which offers you information on trains, tickets and seat availability. An SMS to the same number also provides all details on your cell phone.
In case all the seats have been booked, your ticket is booked under the waiting list, wherein you may get a berth only if cancellations are made. For a limited number of tickets, there is the option of RAC, or Reservation against Cancellation. Tickets can be booked under the Tatkal scheme, 24 hours before the day of departure of the train by paying the fare for the whole journey of the train plus additional charges.
The railway ministry is planning to increase the number of trains and the number of coaches and seats in new trains to combat the problem of seat availability in trains.
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