CHENNAI: Ever wondered why it’s still a herculean process to guide confirmed tatkal tickets online while the ‘travels’ store near Chennai Central or Egmore railway stations promote them, albeit at a 100% premium? It’s because ever for the reason that railways took its ticketing online, touts have taken the web path too.
Data on the seizure of tickets illegally sold at a premium presentations that touts now not collaborate with railway counter clerks to nook paper tickets however use clever hacks to guide e-tickets on the IRCTC web site. Early this month, Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials seized 6,000 tickets value Rs 1.five crore from a tout in Mumbai who had a community of five,400 agents.
“Several touts operate in areas as regards to Chennai Central and Egmore railway station,” a senior RPF legitimate said. Some work out of a small 10x10ft store, as the only infrastructure needed is a computer and an auto-fill instrument, said an legitimate. They most commonly operate underneath the guise of excursions and travels operators, divulged RPF officials, with many environment store near personal hospitals on Greams Road and Egmore, as Chennai is an emerging scientific tourism hub.
So how does it paintings? TOI spoke to a couple of non-railway other people involved in the ticketing trade to get an idea. They say that aside from the auto-fill instrument which saves time keying in main points on the IRCTC web site, an intricate wisdom of the trains whose ready lists will probably be cleared after chart preparation is what gives them an edge.
Last year, the railways presented a ‘premium tatkal’ quota by which 50% of tatkal tickets are sold on premium pricing the place charges move up with decreasing ticket availability. However, after charting, the unsold tickets underneath this quota are transferred to the common tatkal pool to transparent the waitlist.
A normal railway passenger might not be aware of it however the tout makes use of this, the supply said. “The tout will guide a waitlisted tatkal ticket, fully aware that it's going to get confirmed, and charge a premium of Rs 1,000- Rs 2,000 per ticket,” the supply said.
There was once an offer on the Railway Board to begin a cyber cell for the RPF to crack down on touts but it surely has now not taken off but, say officials. “Currently, we need to approach the IRCTC web ticketing anti-fraud crew for investigating cases,” an RPF legitimate said.
Data on the seizure of tickets illegally sold at a premium presentations that touts now not collaborate with railway counter clerks to nook paper tickets however use clever hacks to guide e-tickets on the IRCTC web site. Early this month, Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials seized 6,000 tickets value Rs 1.five crore from a tout in Mumbai who had a community of five,400 agents.
“Several touts operate in areas as regards to Chennai Central and Egmore railway station,” a senior RPF legitimate said. Some work out of a small 10x10ft store, as the only infrastructure needed is a computer and an auto-fill instrument, said an legitimate. They most commonly operate underneath the guise of excursions and travels operators, divulged RPF officials, with many environment store near personal hospitals on Greams Road and Egmore, as Chennai is an emerging scientific tourism hub.
So how does it paintings? TOI spoke to a couple of non-railway other people involved in the ticketing trade to get an idea. They say that aside from the auto-fill instrument which saves time keying in main points on the IRCTC web site, an intricate wisdom of the trains whose ready lists will probably be cleared after chart preparation is what gives them an edge.
Last year, the railways presented a ‘premium tatkal’ quota by which 50% of tatkal tickets are sold on premium pricing the place charges move up with decreasing ticket availability. However, after charting, the unsold tickets underneath this quota are transferred to the common tatkal pool to transparent the waitlist.
A normal railway passenger might not be aware of it however the tout makes use of this, the supply said. “The tout will guide a waitlisted tatkal ticket, fully aware that it's going to get confirmed, and charge a premium of Rs 1,000- Rs 2,000 per ticket,” the supply said.
There was once an offer on the Railway Board to begin a cyber cell for the RPF to crack down on touts but it surely has now not taken off but, say officials. “Currently, we need to approach the IRCTC web ticketing anti-fraud crew for investigating cases,” an RPF legitimate said.
Touts use software to outsmart railway system
![Touts use software to outsmart railway system]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
May 28, 2018
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