Indian Railways is augmenting its innovative “VIKALP” scheme which would enhance the comfort of passengers by minimizing the discomfort of journey disruptions. In the period of 2023-24 over 57,200 passengers are successfully accommodated. It was introduced in the year 2016. According to this scheme, in all Indian Railways, confirmed seat or berth facility to wait-listed passenger. This would maximize train capacity and minimize traveler inconveniences.
VIKALP Scheme :
The VIKALP scheme is a brilliant innovation by Indian Railways that would help in the management of waitlisted passengers and curb overcrowding. It offers confirmed accommodation in alternative trains to the eligible passengers who opt for this service. It is available throughout the country, thereby looking to smoothen travel experience and increase efficiency in train operation.
Key Features of VIKALP Scheme:
Confirmed Accommodation: Waitlisted passengers are given confirmed seats or berths in other trains if the passenger decides to use the VIKALP service.
Availability throughout the country: The scheme will be available all over India. In this way, no passenger shall be denied the scheme for territorial reasons.
Optimal Use of Resources: VIKALP ensures optimum utilization of train capacity, by shifting waitlisted passengers to other trains that can accommodate them.
Success under the VIKALP Scheme for 2023-24
VIKALP successfully managed during the 2023-24 financial year to shift more than 57,200 passengers to alternate accommodations because of help from Railway Minister Vaishnaw. Increasing its rate of success, this marks one of the ever-rising efficiencies of VIKALP in improving railway traveling and passenger satisfaction. Along with all this, scheme’s benefits have been quite rewarding to customers, especially during festive times and the tourist seasons while the trains are always pre-occupied.
Implementation and Monitoring of VIKALP Scheme
In line with the continuous improvement of services, the Indian Railways is also planning to enhance the reach of the VIKALP scheme more vigorously, especially in those routes that are in higher demand. Railway Minister Vaishnaw said that the government is motivated to explore methods of increasing the effectiveness of VIKALP as a measure to meet the passengers’ demands during peak travel.
In reply to the various objections against overcrowding and the result of cancelling waitlisted tickets from reserved coaches, the ministry has undertaken certain arrangements so that no passenger gets left stranded. It will be vital for the very success of the scheme by keeping proper track of waiting list in addition to available accommodation in the trains. The minister further stated that train services along with their respective waiting list positions were reviewed on a continuous basis to improve the seat adjustment so that passengers may have maximum comfort.
Special Train Services and Coach Augmentation
In addition to the daily train journeys, Indian Railways operates special train services in order to provide service to a larger population. The Indian Railways operate special train journeys that stand at 13,523 for holidays like Holi and summer holidays in the year 2024. Important festivals like Durga Pooja, Diwali, and Chhath also witnessed special trains plying over more than 7,990 journeys to take approximately 1.8 crore passengers.
Second, permanent augmented coaches have also been augmented. Indian Railways is continuously adding strength to its coaches. From the current fiscal 2023-24, permanently augmented coaches total 872 number and up to November the tally stood at 774 coaches getting added in permanent augmentation through the year 2024-25. So, owing to regular endeavouring, it has already taken adequate care for the allotment of all the berths which were supposed to avail on board the General and Sleeper Non-AC classes.
Balancing Train formations
The Indian Railways has a policy that ensures adequate accommodation for all segments of passengers. In mail/express trains, 12 general class & non-AC sleeper coaches are provided while eight AC coaches are included in a typical train composition of 22 coaches. This will ensure a balanced distribution of available seating between general and AC class passengers.
Currently, most the coaches that are in operation have been identified as non-AC. Since two-thirds of all coaches serve general and sleeper classes, they easily accommodate more passengers.
Conclusion
The VIKALP scheme holds its place as a prime scheme for improving the service offered by the Indian Railways, thereby providing more than 57,000 travelers with alternate accommodations during 2023-24. Enlarging the scheme with higher coach capacities and launching special services on train in peak travel months has been one of the larger strides undertaken by the Indian Railways in their bid to fulfill demand from the traveler and make traversing across the nation all the more comfortable.
With the continuous success of the VIKALP scheme and further expansion of services, Indian Railways is well poised to offer even better service in the future to ensure passengers have a more comfortable and efficient travel experience.
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