Do travel plans fall prey to cancellations? Is your journey tickets fall in the wait-list category? Sometimes traveling is the only choice when the travel plans are made due to certain unforeseen circumstances. In this blog , we will discuss the new clone train scheme and how it will benefit the rail passengers. First of all, let us know what a clone train really is?
Get tasty train food for your tummy from RailRecipe
Everyone who has traveled with W/L status knows the pain of being in this segment. People used to put up requests if an extra train boggy could be added in such cases. Keeping such demands into consideration, Indian Railways is now acting to solve such issues. The single answer would be the clone train scheme.
What are Clone Trains?
Clone trains are trains that would run in high-demand routes and would carry a similar train number to their already running trains in a particular route. They would even carry the same train number as their original counterpart. In short:
A clone train will be train which will be running with the same number like the actual train. For example the 12423/12424 New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express has all the seats got reserved and still has a heavy demand of waitlisted passengers. Indian Railways will put another rake of the Rajdhani Express with the same number just to carry waitlisted ticket-holders.
What’s the update about the ‘Clone Train Scheme’?
- Indian Railways plans to start these clone trains in a phased manner in the next 15 days and will issue a notification about the same.
- Railways will monitor all the trains that are currently in operation to determine which trains have a long waiting list.
- Keeping in mind, Wherever there is a demand for a particular train, wherever the waiting list is long, railways will run a clone train ahead of the actual train, so that passengers can travel.
- The stoppages of the clone trains will be less than the special trains. The idea is to have stoppages at major stations for clone trains to meet the demands of people.
What are the challenges in this ‘Clone Train Scheme’?
- Logistical Challenges: A logistical challenge for the Railways as it will require additional rakes for running the clone train. Indian Railways will try to run these types of trains from major cities initially where there are additional rakes.
- Upgrading PRS (Passenger Reservation System): At present Indian Railways disables bookings of the train ticket after the waiting list for a train touches 400 in sleeper class, 300 in 3AC or chair car, 30 in first class, and 100 in second class. It would need to be upgraded once the ‘clone scheme’ comes into play.
What About the “Vikalp Scheme”?
Indian Railways is already running the ‘Vikalp Scheme’ where the passengers are given the choice to book a ticket in an alternate train if their waitlisted tickets do not get confirmed on the train they had opted for. However a major drawback of the ‘Vikalp Scheme’ is that the traveling time of the passenger may increase if he/she is given a reservation on another train.
Also, read: Indian Railways Facts You Must Know Before Travelling
Advantages of “Clone Train Scheme”
- Clone trains would add to the revenue of Indian Railways.
- The wait-listed segment can be addressed in a better manner.
The clone trains will be primarily 3AC trains and run ahead of the already operating special trains. The operation of clone trains will be widely publicized for the benefit of prospective passengers. The routes are being finalized for the final rollout of the ‘clone train’ scheme.
What do you think about this scheme from Indian Railways? Share your views in the comments section below. Stay updated with every development in Indian Railways with the RailRecipe App. RailRecipe is IRCTC-authorised e-catering platform that provides restaurant quality food on train service for rail passengers.