Jagran correspondent, Patna. To stop the misuse in Tatkal ticket booking and the arbitrariness of the brokers, Railways is now preparing to implement One Time Password (OTP) based system in Tatkal tickets booked over the counter. This system will soon be implemented in all trains in a phased manner in East Central Railway including Danapur division.
According to railway officials, this new system will bring transparency in ticket booking and provide convenience to genuine passengers.
Since December 18, this system has been implemented in about 100 trains on a trial basis. These include major trains like Rajyarani, Gangadamodar, Patna-Kota, Ara-Durg, Rajendra Nagar-Howrah, Purva Express, Danapur-Secunderabad and Rajendra Nagar-LTT. After the successful use of OTP system in these trains, now preparations are being made to increase its scope.
According to sources, a list is being prepared to implement it in all the express trains passing through Danapur division including Patna Junction.
Railway officials said that the OTP based Tatkal ticket system will be only for Tatkal category. This rule will not be applied on ordinary tickets and advance reservation. Its main objective is to effectively control black marketing and fake booking of Tatkal tickets.
This is how verification will be done through OTP
Under the new system, when passengers fill the form for Tatkal ticket at the reservation counter, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number entered by them. Tickets will be issued only after successful verification of OTP. Tickets cannot be booked without OTP verification.
Railway officials said that earlier in July, the Railway Ministry had made Aadhaar based OTP verification mandatory for online Tatkal ticket booking. After this, on November 17, instructions were given to implement the OTP system for Tatkal ticket booking from the counter on a trial basis. After its positive results in Danapur division, steps are now being taken towards implementing it in all trains. Railways will announce its formal date soon.