Summer vacation is at its peak now. People wanting to travel far and near often complain about non-availability of seats/berths in popular trains on Chennai and Bangalore routes.
However, railway officials say the passengers are not looking beyond their favourite trains in which a good number of seats or berths are available on most of the days.
“While almost all classes of reserved accommodation are wait-listed (in general quota) in Chennai-bound superfast express trains such as Pandiyan, Nellai and Pothigai expresses (all originating within Madurai railway division) for the next few days, people are not aware that Duronto Express (Tuesdays and Thursdays) runs with at least 50 vacant berths from here,” Divisional Commercial Manager N. Mahesh said.
The fare was slightly higher in Duronto Express, an all-air-conditioned-coach train.
Passengers willing to anxiously wait for a week for confirmation of accommodation with wait-listed tickets could very well pay Rs. 1,025 for an assured accommodation, an official said.
Dehradun Express
Similarly, passengers were not aware of the current booking facility (after reservation chart is prepared) in Madurai-Dehradun Express (leaving Madurai on Wednesdays and Sundays) under which they stood to get an assured berth in all classes for Madurai-Chennai journey.
“Since this is a long-distance train, advance booking for short distance is not permitted. However, over 200 berths that are booked from Chennai towards Dehradun fall vacant between Madurai and Chennai. People cannot book tickets through Internet. But they can book it once the chart is prepared,” the official said. Many regular passengers were using this train to reach Chennai, Mr. Mahesh also added.
Premium tatkal
Southern Railway had introduced premium tatkal quota in Pandiyan and Pothigai expresses.
Most of the tickets remain vacant till the charts are prepared. However, once the chart is prepared, the berths go to the wait-listed ticket holders under the general quota.
However, berths under premium tatkal cannot be booked at the passenger reservation system but only through Internet.
Stating that trains starting late in the night from Madurai railway junction do not get filled up, the railway officials want passengers to check trains like Nagercoil-Yeswantpur Express (17236).
