PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, May 28: Railway passengers may soon get relief from long overnight queues for Tatkal tickets, as Indian Railways is preparing to launch a new mobile application called “Q-Mitra” or “Queue Mitra”.
The proposed app will allow passengers to join the Tatkal booking queue directly from their mobile phones without visiting railway stations.
Aadhaar-based verification for Tatkal booking
Under the new system, passengers will have to register through the app using their mobile number and Aadhaar details.
During the booking process, ticket confirmation will be allowed only after OTP verification, Aadhaar authentication and face scan matching.
Railway officials said the move is aimed at preventing black marketing and fake Tatkal bookings.
As per the proposed rules, only one booking attempt with a maximum of four tickets will be allowed within 24 hours from a single Aadhaar number and mobile number.
Officials believe the Aadhaar-linked OTP and facial verification process will make repeated or fraudulent bookings extremely difficult.
Passengers face long overnight queues
At present, passengers often begin standing in queues outside reservation counters from as early as 8 pm or 9 pm for Tatkal tickets.
Even after waiting for over 12 hours, only a limited number of travellers managed to get confirmed tickets.
Several passengers have alleged that touts use multiple people in queues to corner Tatkal tickets.
Pilot project underway in Hajipur zone
Railways has already introduced OTP-based Tatkal booking in select premium trains, including the Bhubaneswar–New Delhi Rajdhani Tejas Express and the Howrah–Mumbai and Pune Duronto Express. However, the system has not yet been expanded to all trains.
According to Railway Board sources, the Hajipur Railway Zone is currently conducting trials of the “Queue Mitra” app at selected stations.
If the pilot project proves successful and user-friendly, the app will be introduced in phases across railway zones nationwide.
Railways is also planning to install kiosks at stations to help passengers use the new digital booking system.