Having decided I would be heading to South India, I checked seat availability in different set of trains, and they dropping little hints. Travelling on occasions are no less than ordeal of sorts, and this better realised when temperatures peak and peak with substantial numbers able to figure out this weather trick. Travelling that too on sustained weak ticket (Upper Berth Ticket) can be nightmarish even for those residing on terrace. Terrace guys do have the comfort to know when there would be downpour with few putting forth monsoon would be minus roar. Terrace guys do know the art of fixing the lacunae encircling tatkal train ticket with some whispering success after taking bath from a bucket. For over 15 days I tried to figure out tatkal train ticket availability online with each passing day suggesting that it was devoid of shine. What all one could avail was the message of high traffic, and by the time windows opened there were intimidating sessions looking less therapeutic.
Tuesday Was The Day Of Reckoning
Tuesday was the day of reckoning as I decided to access railway reservation centre where passengers invariably carry calendar. Having visited this spot in the month of February, this visit this month was on a different trajectory. Humongous was the collection of people, equally alarming was the appearance of a monsoon rebel. Against this scenario I bided time hoping against hope that I won't be asked to pay the fine. With number 15 marked against my name I was hoping for a miracle equally true for those who had faced recent poll debacle. Poll debacle for the sheer fact that polls in some sections were rigged, and this made possible by those sporting wig. By the time it turned 9.30 (AM) came the message that cash payment had been done away with, and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) payment and debit/credit cards were being accepted even from those who resided in colonies gated. This was horror of sorts, more horror in store when window booking opened for sure. Those wishing to make UPI Payments were facing network issues (no internet), and those making card payments having little clues. By the time my turn came all seats in South India bound train taken perhaps suggesting more finding it ripe to visit Territory Deccan. And the woman personnel at the counter finding me in dilemma of sorts, and I by means interested in taking a ride in a yacht. I came home wondering where I had erred as I had reached the reservation centre around 7.20 with I having been briefed by railway HOD (Head Of Department). I wondered would I be successful to take a commute to South (India) with puzzle on ascertaining seat availability not looking to be a bout. Where was the rationale to do away with cash transactions as in parts of country some handed the responsibility to dig to unearth gold on occasions lose directions. After 11.30 I again made a round of reservation centre having discovered there were 50 seats vacant for train destined to leave on July 1, and here the counter man could not gel with the idea that lower berth would be spared as side upper berth he cared. With side upper berth allotted I am in a fix, and this reservation centre foray shrieks.
Not Able To Fix This Lacunae
Railways to date have not been able to fix the tatkal ticket inadequacies, and shortcomings on this front likely to stay plump. Where is the need to do away with cash transactions as India is a nation where majority cannot endear themselves to those with right connections. Connections to gain a reprieve from mind boggling inflation to those delineated to take regime's dictation. This dictation scolds one to fall in line else depository would initiate action. Here a large number go to bed unfed and yet the regime wants digital route edge. Digital edge won't come for the next 20 decades what to talk of 10 trillion ticket. Ten trillion ticket dream is being promised to all forgetting this nation's sovereign debt is $ 2.58 trillion toss, and by no means giving the brief who is the boss. As I make umpteen attempts to figure out any train with available seats to leave before July 1, the predicament shuttle that some are in illustrate none can't have fun.
YEDU KONDALWADA VENKATRAMNA GOVINDA GOVINDA
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