The Bhopal Division of West Central Railway rolled out a token-based system for Tatkal ticket bookings at all its computerised reservation centres from 1 August, in a move aimed at bringing greater transparency to the process and eliminating the influence of unauthorised touts and middlemen.

How the Token System Works

Under the new arrangement, passengers must collect a token before approaching reservation counters for Tatkal bookings. Tokens for AC Tatkal bookings are issued between 8:30 am and 9 am, while tokens for non-AC Tatkal bookings are distributed from 9 am to 9:30 am.

Each counter will issue a maximum of 10 tokens for AC bookings and 15 tokens for non-AC bookings, though railway authorities retain the flexibility to adjust these numbers based on crowd size and local requirements.

Priority Categories for Genuine Passengers

To protect the interests of bona fide travellers, the Railways has established two priority tiers. Priority 'A' covers passengers booking tickets for themselves or immediate family members — including parents, grandparents, spouse, children, and siblings — who must submit self-attested identity proof. Additional documents establishing family relationships, such as a ration card or family medical card, may be sought if required.

Priority 'B' applies to all other applicants, who must furnish self-attested identity documents of both the applicant and the passenger for whom the ticket is being booked. All Priority 'A' token holders will be attended to before those in Priority 'B'.

What Railway Officials Said

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Kataria said the system was designed to restore fairness to a process long plagued by exploitation. 'The objective of the new token system is to make Tatkal reservations more transparent, fair and passenger-friendly. It will help genuine passengers get tickets while effectively checking the activities of unauthorised touts and middlemen,' Kataria said.

He added that every token will carry the reservation counter number and that its details will be recorded to prevent misuse and repeated collection by the same individual. Once all token holders have been served, any remaining Tatkal tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.

Context and Significance

Tatkal bookings — a premium, last-minute reservation window on Indian Railways — have long been a target for touts who acquire tickets in bulk and resell them at inflated prices, leaving genuine passengers without seats. The token system represents a structural intervention at the counter level, a step beyond the existing online booking safeguards. Notably, the Bhopal Division's move could serve as a model for other railway divisions grappling with the same problem, particularly at high-traffic urban reservation centres.

What Passengers Should Know

The system is now in effect across all computerised reservation centres under the Bhopal Division from 1 August. Kataria urged passengers to follow the new procedure and book tickets exclusively through authorised channels. Those arriving after token distribution windows close can still access remaining tickets on a first-come, first-served basis after token holders are served.