look news india
If you often travel by train and book Tatkal tickets from the Passenger Reservation Counter (PRS) of the railway station, then this news is very useful for you. Indian Railways is going to make a big change to make the entire process of Tatkal ticket booking more transparent and easy. West Central Railway (WCR) has decided to implement ‘token system’ for Tatkal tickets at its major stations from August 1, 2026. The main objective of this initiative is to relieve the passengers from the huge crowd at the ticket window, jostling and the compulsion of standing in long queues for hours. Under the new rule, now passengers will be given tokens in advance and will be called at the counter as per the order of the token number.
Time for distribution of tokens will be different for AC and sleeper class.
Railway administration has fixed the time of token distribution separately for Tatkal ticket booking of AC and non-AC i.e. sleeper class. Booking of AC Tatkal tickets starts daily at 10:00 AM, for which passengers will be given tokens at the counter between 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Whereas the booking of sleeper class Tatkal tickets starts from 11:00 am, for which token distribution will be done between 9:30 am to 10:00 am. With the implementation of this timetable, the sudden stampede and crowd at the station as soon as the booking window opens will be completely controlled.
How many tokens will you get from which counter? Railways decided the number
Keeping in mind the convenience of passengers, Railways has also limited the maximum number of tokens issued from each booking counter. According to the new arrangement, only a maximum of 10 tokens for AC Tatkal tickets and a maximum of 15 tokens for sleeper class will be issued from one counter. This will make it clear to the passengers even before they stand in the queue whether they are likely to get the ticket or not. Till now, it used to happen many times that passengers would stand in the queue early in the morning, but the quota would get exhausted even before their turn came. This new system will save both precious time and energy of the passengers.
The game of brokers will end, it will be mandatory to show original ID
One of the main objectives of starting this new system is to stop the brokers active in ticket booking and the gangs that grab tickets fraudulently. To get the token, it will be mandatory for the passenger to show his/her original identity proof (like Aadhar Card, Voter ID or Driving License). Along with this, the name and necessary details of the passenger will be recorded on the token given, so that no other person can misuse that token. Token will not be issued without valid identity card.
Pay special attention to these things before going to the station
If you are planning to book Tatkal tickets from major stations of West Central Railway after August 1, then definitely follow some rules. Reach the station counter by 8:30 am for AC class and 9:30 am for sleeper class. Keep the original identity card with you and keep the reservation form completely filled and ready before reaching the station so that extra time is not wasted at the counter. After getting the token, wait calmly for your turn and go to the window only when the number comes. At present this experiment is starting at the stations of West Central Railway, after the success of which it can be extended to other divisions also.