IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) offers Vikalp scheme for waitlisted passengers as an option to provide confirmed berth in an alternate train. However, opting for Vikalp does not mean that assured berth will be provided to passengers in alternate train. It is subject to train and berth availability, mentioned IRTC on its official website.
Key Things to know about IRCTC's Vikalp Scheme:
1. Indian Railways Vikalp scheme is implemented for passengers of all train types and classes.
2. The scheme is applicable to all waiting list passengers irrespective of booking quota and concession.
3. Under this scheme, passengers can opt maximum 5 trains.
4. Vikalp opted passengers who booked in waiting and remain fully wait listed after charting will only be considered for allotment in the alternate train.
5. Fully waiting passengers opted for Vikalp should check PNR (Passenger Name Record) status after charting.
6. No extra charges shall be taken from passenger or any refund shall be provided for difference of fare.
7. Wait listed passengers of original train shall not be allowed to board the original train if allotted alternate accommodation.
8. When Vikalp opted passenger opts to cancel, after he has been given an alternate accommodation, he will be treated as a confirmed passenger and the cancellation rules will apply accordingly.
9. No refund for difference of fare between the original train and the alternate train, including Tatkal charges, will be given to re-allocated passengers.
10. When a passenger who has been allotted alternate accommodation has not performed his journey in the alternate train, he can claim for refunds by filing a TDR request.
11. Train list once selected under Vikalp scheme cannot be changed.
12. The VIKALP opted passengers who have been provided accommodation in the alternate train will not figure in the wait listed charts of their original train. A separate list of passengers transferred in alternate train will be pasted along with the CONFIRMED and WAITLIST charts.
13. The passenger allotted alternate accommodation can travel in the alternate train on authority of original ERS/SMS.