Indian Railways has announced a significant tightening of the rules governing ticket bookings under the Emergency Quota (EQ).
Responding to persistent concerns about the misuse of this special provision, particularly by unauthorised entities and travel intermediaries, the Ministry of Railways has issued a fresh directive to all 17 railway zones across the nation. The core tenet of these revised guidelines is the complete exclusion of travel agents from the EQ booking process, a decisive step taken after numerous instances of EQ seats being improperly secured through unofficial channels. The updated regulations introduce several key changes designed to enhance transparency and accountability in the allocation of emergency quota berths. Foremost among these is the explicit prohibition of travel agents from submitting any requests for EQ bookings. Any such applications originating from agents will now face outright rejection, effectively severing a potential avenue for misuse and ensuring that the quota is reserved for individuals facing genuine exigencies.
Furthermore, the new rules mandate a significantly higher level of official endorsement for EQ booking requests. A written requisition will now only be considered valid if it bears the signature of a Gazetted Officer. To ensure authenticity and facilitate verification, the Gazetted Officer is required to provide their full name, official designation, and contact information, along with the mobile number of at least one of the passengers seeking emergency travel. This measure aims to introduce a layer of official oversight and deter frivolous or unwarranted applications. To further strengthen the audit trail and accountability, departments, officers, and federations authorised to request EQ seats are now obligated to maintain a dedicated register. This register must meticulously record all pertinent details of each EQ application, including the date of travel, the specific route requested, and the source of the request. Crucially, each application must be assigned a unique diary number, which must also be prominently mentioned on the written requisition submitted for booking.
The revised guidelines also explicitly hold the individual signing the EQ request accountable for diligently verifying and ensuring the authenticity of the passenger details provided. This measure places the onus of responsibility on the requesting authority to exercise due diligence and prevent the submission of fraudulent or misleading information. Moreover, to facilitate potential audits and investigations, all requisition letters submitted for EQ bookings must be preserved for a minimum period of three months from the date of the intended travel. In addition to these stringent guidelines for application submissions, the Ministry has also directed railway zones to intensify their monitoring of the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. These regular inspections are intended to proactively detect and eliminate any potential collusion between unscrupulous ticket brokers and railway reservation staff, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the booking process at the operational level.
The overarching principle underpinning these revised rules is a zero-tolerance stance towards any misuse of the emergency quota. Railway officials have been explicitly cautioned against submitting inappropriate or unjustified requisitions, reinforcing the intended purpose of the EQ as a provision for genuine emergency travel needs. While comprehensive guidelines for EQ bookings were initially established in 2011, these updated measures serve to reinforce those existing rules, ensuring stricter adherence and compliance across all railway zones. The changes unequivocally reflect the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to streamlining the EQ booking process, enhancing fairness, and preventing any exploitation of this crucial special quota, which is primarily intended to serve passengers facing unforeseen and urgent travel requirements.
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