PATNA: A large number of passengers, including college girls studying outside the state, are a harassed lot. Reason: they have been unable to get confirmed tickets in any train going to New Delhi, Mumbai , Chennai, Bangalore and Cochin from Patna. As such these passengers continue to remain stranded in Patna .
Giving vent to their feelings, Neha and Priya — who are students of Delhi-based colleges — said they have been unable to get confirmed berths in any Delhi-bound trains as all sleeper and AC bogies are packed with passengers. The railways is issuing wait listed tickets in Rajdhani Express, Sampoorna Kranati Express, Shramjeevi Express and Magadh Express. “The only option left for us is either to approach touts for confirmed tickets or travel in general bogies. Since we are girls, our sparents would not allow us to travel in general bogies due to risk during journey,” Neha said.
A large number of students who have to go to Bangalore, Chennai and Nagpur have been facing similar problems. “There is either no room or long waiting lists in trains bound for these places. We are being lured by touts at Patna Junction or travel agency offices to get confirmed tickets at a premium,” said and other student, Vinit.
Vinit and his friend Tushar — who are studying outside the state — said although they made several attempts to get confirmed tickets through “Tatkal” service scheme, all their efforts have been in vain. “It is still a big question as to who is actually getting confirmed berths through “Tatkal” service. The railways must ensure simple and easy process to obtain Tatkal tickets, otherwise it is a farce and fraud played on innocent passengers,” Tushar said .
According to sources, although July to August is considered to be the non-peak period for railways, confirmed tickets are still a dream for many people in Patna. A visually impaired scholar and former member of Bihar Public Service Commission, Shivjatan Thakur, alleged that he was denied berth from emergency quota (EQ) recently for unknown reasons. However, those who made “backdoor” approach, got confirmed tickets, he claimed. Similarly Ajit Mehta, Sujit and Kamal voiced their concern at the rampant corruption and touts operating at Patna Junction and other PRS offices, they said .
According to a railway security official, the railways raided a few travel agencies located near Patna Junction and recovered money and tickets booked in fake names. These agencies were charging exorbitant prices for each confirmed ticket from passengers . “Railways will continue to conduct raids at illegal and unauthorized agencies dealing in railway ticket booking,” he said.
There has been huge demand for AC berths in Delhi-bound trains from Patna Junction. As the popular AC Garib Rath has been extended up to Bhagalpur from Patna, there has been enormous rush in Rajdhani Express and Sampoorna Kranti Express trains now. The railways should give a thought to run another AC train from Patna to Delhi. The rake of Sasaram-Delhi AC train which is weekly, could be used at least for two days from Patna to clear rush of passengers, sources said .