Vikalp Yojana scheme… how passengers can benefit…?

Vikalp Yojana: A Relief for Waiting Ticket Passengers

The Indian Railways introduced the Vikalp Yojana to provide relief to passengers with waiting list tickets by offering them confirmed seats on alternative trains. This initiative is especially helpful during peak travel times, such as festivals, when booking a confirmed ticket is challenging.

How the Vikalp Yojana Works:

This scheme allows passengers with a waiting list ticket to get a confirmed seat on a different train, should their initial choice not have available seats. It ensures that those with waiting list tickets can still find a seat on another train and travel without significant delays.

Key Features of the Vikalp Yojana:

1. Confirmed Tickets for Waiting List Passengers: Through the Vikalp scheme, passengers on the waiting list are assigned seats on alternative trains. This is particularly useful during festival seasons or other busy times when it is difficult to get a confirmed seat on the primary train.
2. Seat Allocation on Alternate Trains: If a passenger does not get a confirmed seat on their chosen train, they can get a seat on an alternate train. This maximizes seat utilization and ensures passengers have a confirmed seat even when their original train is fully booked.
3. No Additional Charges: The Vikalp Yojana does not require any extra payment. Passengers only need to select the “Vikalp” option while booking their ticket, and the system will ensure they are allocated a seat on a different train if necessary.
4. Potential Time Adjustments: Passengers must be aware that the alternative train may depart either earlier or later than the original one by up to 12 hours. This flexibility is key, but passengers need to plan accordingly for time changes.
5. Non-Transferable Confirmed Seats: Once a seat on an alternate train is confirmed, passengers cannot transfer the seat back to their original train. However, they can cancel their confirmed seat if needed, but this comes with cancellation charges.
6. Booking the Ticket under the Vikalp Scheme: To use the Vikalp Yojana, passengers must visit the IRCTC official website or mobile app, enter their travel details (departure and arrival stations, travel date, and train class), and select the “Vikalp” option. After this, they can choose from a list of alternate trains operating on the selected route and complete the booking.

Benefits of the Vikalp Yojana:

1. During Festival Seasons: During peak times like festivals, when train tickets are in high demand, getting a confirmed seat can be extremely difficult. The Vikalp Yojana offers a solution by helping passengers get confirmed seats on alternate trains.
2. Meeting Travel Needs: Many people travel to their hometowns or for special occasions during peak seasons. This scheme helps ensure that they can travel on their preferred date and time, even when their first choice of train is full.
3. Alternate Option: If a passenger’s initial choice of train doesn’t have available seats, the Vikalp Yojana provides an alternative by offering seats on other trains. This gives passengers more flexibility in planning their journey.

Conclusion:

The Vikalp Yojana is a significant initiative by Indian Railways that helps resolve the issue of waiting list tickets. It provides an alternative by offering confirmed seats on other trains, ensuring that passengers can travel on their chosen dates. This scheme, especially during festival seasons, enhances the overall travel experience by improving seat availability and reducing travel delays.