Tatkal tickets unravelled

By Aditya S Nivarthi

Our good friend Rajesh has become a regular traveller. Now we come to a situation where Rajesh books a tatkal sleeper class ticket to Ahmedabad and gets a confirmed reservation. A tatkal ticket is booked for eleventh hour travel plans and booking opens a day prior to the date of journey.

Rajesh will not get any refund if he cancels his confirmed tatkal ticket. However if he cancels a WL/RAC tatkal ticket refund will be granted based on extant IR rules.

Special situations for full refund of fare and Tatkal charges

The situations under which Rajesh will receive a full refund are outlined below:

If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours at the journey originating point of the passenger and not the boarding point if the Rajesh’s journey originating point (Mumbai Central) and boarding point (Borivali) are different.

If the train is to run on a diverted route and Rajesh is not willing to travel.

If the train is to run on diverted route and boarding station or the destination or both the stations are not on the diverted route.

In case of non-attachment of a coach in which Tatkal accommodation has been earmarked, and Rajesh has not been provided accommodation in the same class.

If Rajesh has been accommodated in a lower class and does not want to travel. In case Rajesh travels in lower class, the passenger will be given a refund of difference of fare and also the difference of tatkal charges, if any.

Note- there is no Tatkal quota in 1st AC.

Premium Tatkal

Rajesh also has an option to book tickets under premium tatkal quota. Under this quota Indian Railways charges basic premium fare plus tatkal charges plus dynamic fare [this increases as berths get exhausted]. Reservation opens a day in advance akin to tatkal quota.

The dynamic fare is charged to provide confirmed booking to passengers. There is no RAC / waitlist under premium tatkal .

No refund is given if Rajesh cancels his premium Tatkal ticket.