Knowledge

Railway : What is VIP (Emergency Quata) Quata 

Railway users through an online poll have demanded that VIP quota berths in trains be made available for the common man to address real emergency-travel needs of all instead of it catering to a select, well-connected few. Imagine if an extra half a lakh of train berths are added to the existing pool of train accommodation every day. What if India’s train passengers, battling with long waiting lists, got a chance to jump the queue on an emergency basis, over and above the facility of the Tatkal tickets?

VIP quota, Emergency Quota or “EQ” as they are called, constitutes four per cent of all reserved berths made available for the 1672 mail/express train passengers every day. Which means an estimated 50-60,000 extra berths. For trains originating from Delhi alone, the number of EQ berths is around 7,000.

The online poll carried out by social media community called “Make Railways Better” on LocalCircles heavily tilted in favour of rationalisation of this quota system in railways.

The emergency quota rules are basically made for booking of seats for member of parliament or other VIP’s as per the procedure adopted by Indian Railways. The emergency quota is also for HOR (High Official Requisition holders) who want to travel in trains.

As per commercial circular of railways dated 9-02-2011 emergency quota will be released by railway authorities on different trains as per the rules. A list of all VIPs booked in train including HOR holders / members of parliament and other VIPs should be prepared and issuance of ticket under emergency quota is decided accordingly. The allotment of Emergency Quota to HOR Holders and VIPs should be strictly as per their inter-se seniority in Warrant of Precedence.

In absence of allotment to coupe, reservation under emergency quota will be made in 4 berth compartment. Clubbing of 2 HOR holders may be made in 4- berth compartment under emergency quota ticket booking.

Other passenger from general public is not allowed to get reservation under emergency quota. Anyone who is eligible for an available quota can book ticket in case non availability of accommodation under general quota.

But till yet there is no procedure to book emergency quota in trains through online mode of ticket booking i.e. through IRCTC. It means e-tickets cannot be booked under emergency quota in railway. Only ticket booked through booking offices and PRS system of railway allow booking of ticket under emergency quota.

Services offered by IRCTC are limited to extent specially in case of ticket booking under various quota.