If you’ve recently purchased a Tatkal train ticket and noticed a status of TQWL, you might have questions regarding its implications, the likelihood of confirmation, and whether boarding the train is permissible if the ticket remains waitlisted.
According to Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, the Tatkal scheme is designed for travelers who need to make last-minute journeys, be it due to emergencies, sudden changes in plans, or missed opportunities during the regular booking period.
When all seats under the Tatkal quota are booked, any new reservations are added to the Tatkal Quota Waiting List, commonly referred to as TQWL.
DISCLAIMER: This article is informed by publicly available information and insights from industry professionals.
Pittie describes TQWL as a last-minute waiting list linked specifically to the limited Tatkal quota, which results in a lower probability of confirmation compared to other waiting list categories. In essence, having a TQWL status means you have a Tatkal ticket but have yet to secure a confirmed seat or berth.
Tatkal tickets cater to urgent travel needs. When confirmed seats under this quota are fully booked, subsequent reservations are placed on the Tatkal waiting list.
“Since Tatkal bookings open just one day prior to the travel date, there is a narrow window for waitlisted tickets to be confirmed before the chart is finalized,” explains Pittie.
While it is possible for a TQWL ticket to be confirmed, there is no certainty. Your status may change if a seat becomes available, such as when a confirmed Tatkal passenger cancels their booking.
Pittie adds, “It’s important to note that confirmed Tatkal tickets typically do not qualify for refunds upon cancellation, so cancellations are relatively rare, which contributes to the low clearance rate of TQWL tickets.”
The confirmation of your ticket is influenced by various factors including the specific train, route, class, travel date, and existing cancellations.
It is crucial to remember that if your online ticket is still fully waitlisted after the chart preparation, you will not be allowed to board the train with that ticket.
If your ticket remains fully waitlisted when the chart is finalized, it will be automatically canceled, and a refund will be processed back to the account used for booking.
Pittie notes, “For tickets purchased at the counter, passengers must manually cancel them at the railway station to receive the applicable refund.”
Therefore, it is advisable to verify your PNR status before heading to the station, as you need either a confirmed or RAC status to travel on a reserved ticket.
Traveling with a fully waitlisted ticket without a valid reservation may result in being classified as a “ticketless passenger.”
Yes, you can cancel a waitlisted TQWL ticket prior to chart preparation.
Pittie clarifies, “As per the current cancellation policy, a fee of ₹60 plus GST is deducted from the refund for waitlisted tickets.”
He also addresses common misconceptions, stating that a TQWL ticket does not automatically upgrade to RAC status, as they are distinct reservation categories.
Furthermore, many individuals mistakenly believe that TQWL has priority over vacant seats. However, the reservation system grants precedence to General Waiting List (GNWL) passengers.
“Another prevalent misunderstanding is that a TQWL ticket will always clear upon the cancellation of another ticket. In truth, confirmation is contingent on availability within the respective quota and the established allocation process,” Pittie explains.
Think of TQWL as a scenario where you possess a Tatkal ticket, yet lack a confirmed seat.
Your ticket may be confirmed prior to chart preparation, but if it remains fully waitlisted afterward, your online ticket will be canceled, and you will not be permitted to travel with it.
Thus, it is essential to check your final PNR status before going to the station, ensuring that it indicates either Confirmed or RAC.
DISCLAIMER: This article is informed by publicly available information and insights from industry professionals.
