Railways to cut `tatkal' charges; extend facility to Shatbdi executive class

The Railways will reduce the `tatkal' charges for reservation of train tickets with effect from 1 October 2009, as announced by railway minister Mamata Banerjee in the railway budget for 2009-10.

The Railways has now extended the `tatkal' facility to  `Executive Class' of Shatabdi Express trains also, by earmarking 10 per cent of the accommodation available, ie, 5 seats per coach.

The new `tatkal' charges will be at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum, an official release said.

For second class seating accommodation, the minimum `tatkal' charges would be Rs10 and the maximum Rs15, while for second class sleeper accommodation, the minimum charge would be Rs75 and the maximum Rs150.

For air-conditioned chair car accommodation, the minimum and the maximum would be between Rs75 and Rs150.

For AC three-tier accommodation, the `tatkal' charges would be a minimum of Rs200 and a maximum of Rs300. This will be the same for AC two-tier and executive class as well.