TIRUNELVELI: If you are at Tirunelveli Junction railway station, 'buying stones' is the only way to book Tatkal tickets. Stunned? Rail users here allege they are unable to book Tatkal tickets as touts are creating a 'queue of stones'.
Speaking to TNIE, A Madhavan, a passenger from Tirunelveli Town area, said those who are ready to pay a bribe to the touts can easily get a Tatkal ticket. "When we reach the station early morning, we find over 30 stones kept in front of the counter. The touts keep these stones along with the application forms, the previous night to make a quick buck. When a passenger comes forward to pay the bribe, they allow him to stand in the queue slot where the stone was placed. The bribe ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 150 per ticket," he said.
Another passenger K Dinesh demanded the Southern Railway to introduce token system for passengers to book Tatkal tickets. "Since there are no chairs to sit in front of the counter, passengers are also forced to place stones in the queue following the touts," he added.
Member of Divisional Rail Users Consultative Committee R Pandiaraja said the touts follow the same method at many railway stations in southern districts. "I have already raised the issue with the officials of Madurai Railway Division," he said. When contacted by TNIE, a railway official said the Railway Protection Force personnel have been asked to ensure that only rail users are queueing up before the Tatkal counter.