New Delhi: In a major step to curb misuse and make Tatkal ticket booking fairer, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has implemented Aadhaar-based OTP verification for online bookings. The initiative is now active for 322 trains, and early results show a significant improvement in ticket availability and booking transparency.

Key Highlights

Blocking Fake IDs

Since the Aadhaar OTP system was introduced, 3.02 crore fake or duplicate IDs have been blocked.

This ensures that tickets are booked by genuine passengers rather than scalpers or automated bots.

Increase in Ticket Availability

Confirmed Tatkal ticket availability has increased by about 65% for the trains using Aadhaar verification.

Passengers now have a better chance of booking tickets fairly during peak hours.

How Aadhaar OTP Works

During Tatkal booking, passengers must verify their identity using an OTP sent to their registered Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

Each OTP is unique and valid for a single transaction, preventing multiple bookings under the same identity.

Government’s Objective

The move aligns with the government’s push for digital verification and transparency.

By reducing fraudulent bookings, genuine passengers can access Tatkal tickets more easily.

Passenger Benefits

Reduced chances of missing out on last-minute travel tickets.

Minimizes the need to rely on third-party agents for Tatkal bookings.

Enhances overall fairness and trust in the online booking system.

Conclusion

The introduction of Aadhaar OTP for Tatkal bookings marks a significant step in tackling fraudulent bookings and ensuring equitable access for genuine travelers. With 3.02 crore fake IDs blocked and ticket availability rising by 65%, this system is set to make last-minute train travel smoother and fairer for millions of passengers.

 

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