Railways to Re-Introduce the Need for Carrying Identity Proof During ‘Tatkal’ Ticket Travel From 11th February 2011

In view of the complaints received in recent past regarding alleged irregularities in Tatkal scheme, Ministry of Railways has decided to re-introduce the need for carrying Identity Proof in original during the course of journey. This provision will come into effect from 11^th February 2011.

 Any one of the passenger/passengers who will be travelling on Tatkal ticket will be required to produce one of the following eight Identity Proofs in original during the course of journey.

1.      Voter Photo Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India

2.      Passport

3.      PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department

4.      Driving Licence issued by RTO

5.      Photo Identity Card issued by Central/State Government

6.      Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their students

7.      Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph and

8.      Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph

However, no Identity proof is required to be produced at the reservation counter while getting the Tatkal ticket booked.

Any one of the passenger/passengers will be required to produce Identity proof in original for checking by ticket checking staff during the course of journey, failing which, all the passenger/passengers travelling on the said ticket will be treated as travelling without ticket and will be charged excess fare and penalty as per rules.

Reduction in tatkal charges from 1st October 2009

As announced by the Minister for Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee while presenting Railway Budget 2009-10 in the Parliament, the Ministry of Railways has decided to reduce the Tatkal Charges w.e.f. October 1, 2009.

The new Tatkal charges will be at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum as given in the table below:

Class of Travel	Minimum Tatkal Charges (in Rs.)	Maximum Tatkal Charges(in Rs.)
Second (sitting)	10.00	15.00
Sleeper	75.00	150.00
AC Chair Car	75.00	150.00
AC 3 Tier	200.00	300.00
AC 2 Tier	200.00	300.00
Executive	200.00	300.00

The above charges will be levied uniformly both in peak period and non-peak periods. Tatkal tickets will be issued for actual distance of travel, instead of end-to-end, subject to the distance restriction applicable to the train. The same Tatkal berth/seat may be booked in multiple legs till preparation of charts. At the time of preparation of charts, unutilized portion may be released to the General RAC/Waiting list passengers.

Tatkal facility will be introduced in Executive Class of Shatabdi Express trains also, by earmarking 10 per cent of the accommodation available i.e. 5 seats per coach

The existing refund rules of tatkal tickets will remain unchanged.

Earlier, the Ministry of Railways has decided to reduce the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) under Tatkal Scheme from five days to two days (excluding the date of journey) for journey commencing w.e.f. 01.08.2009.