Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme – “VIKALP”

Railway passengers who are in waiting list quiet often face the problem of non confirmation of birth. Indian Railways has launched new Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme(ATAS) , also called by the name of “Vikalp” to address this problem. The pilot project was started on November 1, for trains running on the Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu routes. This scheme initially applicable to online booking only. After six month depending upon the performance of this scheme, this can be extended to other routes as well as platform ticket booking. Under this scheme, waiting list passengers will give choice to opt for ATAS scheme. ATAS opted passengers who remain fully waitlisted after charting will only be considered for allotment in the alternate train. This scheme is launched with the basic objective of providing confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and Optimal utilisation of available accommodation.

Other Highlights:

• Passengers don’t have to pay anything extra for the new tickets. There also won’t be any refund in case of a difference in cost of the two tickets.
• Those who prefer this scheme, will get a confirmation alert in the form of an SMS once there is a confirmed seat. They can then use the original ticket to travel in the different train.
• Opting for VIKALP does not mean that confirmed berth will be provided to passengers in alternate train. It is subject to train and berth availability.
• In this scheme, your boarding and terminating station might change to nearby cluster stations.
• You can be transferred to any alternate train available within 12 hrs from the scheduled departure of original train, in which you have booked. Check PNR status after charting.
• No refund for difference of fare between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges, if any, will be given to re-allocated passengers.
• Passengers once provided alternate accommodation in alternate train will be treated as normal passengers in alternate train and will be eligible for up gradation
• As per the scheme, either all passengers of a PNR or none will be transferred to alternative train in the same class.
•  In rare situations, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation might get dropped/re-allotted in alternate train due to last minute change in composition of the alternate train at the time of chart preparation. So, passengers who have been provided alternate accommodation should check PNR status also after preparation of charts of the alternate train for final status.

By: Vishal