Railway ticket counters open, but only for a privileged few

The board allowed the zones to open “barest minimum” number of passenger reservation system (PRS) counters at stations from where trains originate and terminate or have stoppages en route, but with a condition: the circular dated May 11 signed by the director of passenger marketing, Shelly Srivatsava said the counters shall allow booking of tickets only for higher official requisition (HOR) holders, sitting and former MLAs/MPs, freedom fighters, fully reimbursable warrants/vouchers, passengers availing concession as per March 19 circular and railway employees availing privilege passes/ duty passes.

Ordinary citizens booking tickets under general quota would not be entertained at the PRS counter; they can do that only through IRCTC website/app.

The board has instructed zones not to earmark any reservation quota except two berths in III AC for differently abled, accommodation for staff on board, two berths in I AC and four berths in II AC under Parliament House Quota for sitting and former MPs/MLAs, two berths in I AC, four berths in II AC and 12 berths in III AC for railway employees travelling on duty/privilege passes.

The board has also advised zones to transfer unutilised accommodations against these quotas to next remote location at the time of preparation of first reservation charts. Zones have also been instructed to deploy barest minimum number of on-board ticket checking staff and provide all necessary protective equipment to such staff.