If you have a waitlisted ticket for your train, you may be accommodated in an alternate train in the next 12 hours—courtesy a pilot project started by Indian Railways, called Vikalp (alternate train accommodation scheme or ALTS).
The service has started for e-tickets booked in two sectors Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu with effect from November 1. Depending on the response, the scheme will be extended to other trains as well, an official release said.
The fare will be same and the same can be used for the purpose of travel. The origin/destination stations could be same cities or nearby stations in the same cities. However, e-ticket-holders need to opt for ALTS while booking.
According to the Railways, this is a major passenger-friendly move to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers in alternate trains.
Passengers who opt for alternate accommodation need to check the PNR status even after preparation of charts of the alternate train for the final status. This information will be available on call centre (139), PRS enquiry counters, passenger-operated enquiry terminals installed at stations and web inquiry on www.indianrail.gov.in.
Passenger will also get SMS alert on their registered mobile phone number about getting confirmed alternate accommodation, the release added.