Railways' Tatkal scheme a hit among travellers; earns Rs 600 cr

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways have earned over Rs 600 crore during the last fiscal from tatkal tickets, with Northern Railways topping other zones with the best earning from this scheme.

Of the Railways' total earning of Rs 605.48 crore, the Northern Railway shared Rs 144.50 crore, which was 13 per cent of the total tickets sold, official sources said.

They said earnings this fiscal is expected to cross the figures of the last financial year, expecting a good response from the revised tatkal scheme, which came into effect from August 1, 2009 with more relaxations.

"Boarding at intermediate stations, which hitherto was non-existent, will further boost income from this scheme," a source said.

Tickets worth Rs 221.59 crore have already been sold under the scheme in the first quarter of this financial year, the source said.

As per the revised scheme, the advanced reservation period has also been reduced to two days from five days a week.

The source also said the Railways have registered a Rs 1,000 crore cumulative income from this scheme in the last three years.