After the latest expose of how the Tatkal ticketing system is abused by agents, policemen and touts, the Indian Railways have made an attempt to reduce corruption and make the system more traveller-friendly. The new rules aim to reduce intervention by touts and agents who rob genuine travellers of a chance to get the tickets under Tatkal scheme.

Here's a look at what changes the Railways has implemented from 10/07/12

1. The booking for Tatkal tickets will open for general public at 10 AM and go on till 12 PM.

2. There will be separate counters and queues for Tatkal reservation during these 2 hours at railway stations.

3. CCTV cameras will be installed at railway counters to keep an eye on touts and police personnel who have been misusing the system, to make sure that the system is not misused again.

4. Only genuine travellers can book tickets during these 2 hours.

5. All travel agents, including the ones under IRCTC will have to wait till after 12 PM to be able to book tickets under Tatkal scheme.

6. Agents booking on the internet can now only book 1 Tatkal ticket per train per day after 12 PM.

7. Individual travellers can only book 2 Tatkal tickets per day between 10 AM and 12 PM.

8. Only 4 passengers can be booked onto a single ticket under the Tatkal scheme now.

9. Passengers will have to carry self attested identity proofs to the counters if buying the Tatkal ticket at the Railway station.

Hopefully, these changes will make it easier for us to book railway tickets under the Tatkal scheme.