Good news for railway passengers as identity proof not needed from Sept 1 to book Tatkal tickets

New Delhi: Passengers booking tatkal train tickets would not be required to produce identity proof anymore as Railways have decided to discontinue with this provision. The modified provision could come into effect by September 1.

"Under the modified rules, there will be no need to furnish photocopy of proof of identity while booking Tatkal ticket from computerised reservation counter or to indicate its number at the time of booking of tatkal ticket at the counter or through internet," said a railway statement.

However, one of the passengers has to produce the original proofs of identity during the journey to avoid being penalised. Officials said the decision to do away with producing identity card while purchasing tatkal ticket was taken to avoid any duplicity as the passengers had to produce identity proof at the time of the journey too.

The present provision also led to harassment of those passengers carrying a different identity proof at the time of the journey than the one produced at the time of booking tickets, thus being penalised in the process, they said.

Currently, passengers at the time of booking a ticket has to provide a photocopy of identity card which he/she will carry during the journey.

The number of this identity card is indicated on the ticket as well as reservation chart and during the journey the passenger has to carry the same original proof of identity during the journey.