Train Waiting List: Waiting list crosses the 100 mark—what are the chances of ticket confirmation during the festive season?

The festive season is set to begin immediately after the conclusion of Pitru Paksha. Even before it starts, a scramble for train tickets and seats has already begun. Waiting lists for many long-distance trains have crossed the 100 mark. On certain routes, the status for trains around the festival period shows "Regret," meaning one cannot even book a waitlisted ticket. In such a scenario, what options do you have to secure a confirmed ticket, and on which routes is there still a possibility of getting a seat?

An analysis of train bookings on the IRCTC website reveals that very few seats remain available across various routes; securing a confirmed ticket for the festival period has become extremely difficult. However, the IRCTC website indicates that for many routes, booking a ticket from a station slightly before or after your intended boarding point could still offer a chance of getting a confirmed seat. We will highlight some of these routes and stations where you can still secure a confirmed ticket. Regarding the likelihood of a waitlisted ticket getting confirmed, you can check the specific probability for any train or route on the IRCTC website.

**Keep an Eye on Special Trains**
Given the intense competition for tickets during the festive season, it is advisable to look beyond the main, popular trains and consider special trains as well. The government operates numerous special trains during this period; if you search for tickets on these instead of regular trains, there is a strong possibility of securing a confirmed seat even during the festival rush. This year, the government has announced the operation of over 100 special trains for the festive season, covering almost all long-distance routes. Dozens of special or festive trains are operated annually, particularly for destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Will a ticket with a waiting list number of 100 get confirmed?
There is no doubt that the Railways has started confirming tickets even with a waiting list number of 100. This is because additional coaches are being attached to trains, leading to the confirmation of a large number of waitlisted tickets. The crucial factor here is the category of your waitlisted ticket. A General Waiting List (GNWL) ticket is likely to be confirmed first, whereas a Remote Location Waiting List (RLWL) ticket takes longer, and a Pooled Quota Waiting List (PQWL) ticket is usually the last to be confirmed. Often, a General Waiting List ticket with several 100 gets confirmed, while a Pooled Quota ticket with several 15 does not.

How to get your ticket confirmed
Data from the IRCTC website indicates that trains running from Delhi to Bihar show the highest waiting list numbers. Some trains have already reached the 'Regret' status, meaning even waitlisted tickets are no longer available. However, there is no need to worry even if your ticket has a waiting list number exceeding 100. You should opt for the 'VIKALP' scheme while booking your ticket. This ensures that even if you do not get a seat on the specific train you booked, you will be allotted a seat on another train running on the same route if space becomes available.

What to do if the waiting list number is high?
If you see a waiting list number of 100 or higher on the Delhi-Bihar route, there is no need to panic. If you hold a General Waiting List ticket, the chances of confirmation are higher. While booking, you can choose a smaller destination station instead of the main or major stations. If a direct train is unavailable, you can take a train to a nearby district and then use a local train to reach your final destination. By using these methods, you can easily reach home during the festive season, even with a high waiting list number.

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