Long waiting lists spoil tour plans

Despite special holiday trains being introduced and extra coaches attached to regular trains by the Ambala Division,the waiting list in train reservations is touching hundreds.

At present,passengers cannot get a single confirmed ticket. There is no seat available on the Paschim Express (2925/2926),running between Chandigarh and Bandra,for the entire June. In case of other trains,the average waiting list touches 150.

Travellers wishing to board the Unchahar Express (4217/4218),running between Chandigarh and Allahabad,and the Sadhbhavna Express (2231/2232),running between Chandigarh and Lucknow,have to wait—the waiting lists of both trains have crossed the 150 mark.

The situation with the two pairs of Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi is as bad—the waiting list touches 100.

“Extra coaches are added to the trains on daily basis,depending on the length of waiting lists. Three extra coaches are attached to Sadhbhavna Express (2232) and Unchahar Express (4518). The process will continue till the long waiting lists are cleared,” said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Karan Singh.

“With the onset of summer vacations,the waiting lists have increased manifold. There is no free seat in the Shatabdis for the entire week,” said Station Superintendent R K Datta.

Introduction of special trains by the Ambala Division has not helped either. Special summer trains like Chandigarh-Dehradun AC (0411/0412),to run till June 30,Saharanpur-Ludhiana fast passenger train,to run till June 30,Chandigarh-Allahabad (0483/0484),to run till June 28,and three toy trains between Kalka and Shimla,have not made the situation any better.

Airlines no better
Kingfisher Airlines flight,the only air connectivity between Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir,is booked till July 15. The booking staff attribute it to the rush of pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi and Amarnath.

In case of other destinations too,the situation is same. Flights to Delhi and Mumbai are flying with 100 per cent occupancy.

Buses slightly better
A seat can be found on the Chandigarh-Delhi Volvo bus run by Haryana Roadways,but you have to book it three days in advance.

“No seat is available on Volvo for the next three days. The waiting in case of trains is the same. I had to book a taxi for Delhi. There is a huge difference in charges,but I am left with no other option,” said Ankur Goyal,a businessman.

The long wait
* Paschim Express: No ticket available till June 30
* Unchahar Express: Waiting list has crossed 150
* Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi: More than 100 on waiting list
* Kerala Sampark Kranti: Over 50 passengers on waiting list