More Than 43000 Passengers Provided Accommodation Under Vikalp Scheme During 2022-23
With a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation, the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS) known as ‘VIKALP’ was launched in 2016. This scheme is available on Indian Railway on pan India basis. The details of alternate train accommodation scheme are as follows:
- Under this scheme, waiting list passengers can give choice to opt for ATAS scheme. The passengers have the option for getting shifted to a train whose time of departure is upto 72 hours from the date and time for which the original ticket has been booked. The passengers who have not opted for VIKALP at the time of booking can also opt for VIKALP upto 24 hours before scheduled departure of train.
- The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession.
- Neither any extra charges are taken from passenger nor is any refund provided for difference of fare.
- ATAS opted passengers who remain fully Waitlisted at the time of preparation of first reservation chart, are considered for allotment in the alternate train.
- Either all passengers of a PNR or none is transferred to alternate train in same class.
- Waitlisted passengers of original train are not allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation.
The total number of waitlisted passengers who were provided accommodations under this scheme in Financial Year 2022-23 (up to Feb-23) is 43,803.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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YB/DNS