IRCTC Limit on e-Tickets Irks Many
CHENNAI: IRCTC’s move to limit the maximum number of tickets booked online to a maximum of six a month for individual users has not gone down well with commuters.
In a bid to prevent any possible misuse, Ministry of Railways has decreased the maximum number of tickets to six in a month for individual users. Previously, a maximum of 10 tickets could be booked online through IRCTC website in a month by an individual.
Taking a swipe at the railways’ decision, which came into effect from Monday, train passenger associations have observed that it would be counter productive. “This is going to end up with people approaching the reservation centres for tickets. We do not understand how the railways would counter the misuse of online ticketing by reducing the number of tickets,” wondered Marimuthu, co-convener of the Tamil Nadu Rail Passengers’ Right Tribune. Families would be at disadvantage as they cannot book tickets in case of cancellations, he claimed.
As per the analysis of the railways, 90% of users are booking up to six tickets in a given month and only 10% were booking more than six tickets. With suspicion that the 10% users may be involved in touting activities, the ceiling on the number of tickets has been reduced. However, passengers feel that travellers are being punished for mistakes of a few.
Maasilamani, general secretary, Federation of Rail Passenger Associations comprising Central, Arakkonam and Kancheepuram, charged that it is an “anti-passenger move. It would be counter productive for the railways. Why should railways penalise the general public?” he asked.
SRMU general secretary N Kanniah said that their union would take up the issue with officials.