Emergency Quota Booking Rules Tightened by Indian Railways to Curb Misuse
For frequent train travelers, here’s a crucial update from Indian Railways. The Ministry of Railways has recently revised the rules governing Emergency Quota (EQ) bookings in an effort to curb misuse and bring more transparency to the system. These stricter measures come in response to rising concerns over unauthorized access to EQ tickets, particularly through travel agents and intermediaries.
What’s Changed in EQ Booking Rules?
The Ministry has issued a fresh set of guidelines to all 17 railway zones across India, enforcing tighter controls on how EQ tickets are requested and allocated. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:
1. Travel Agents Completely Barred
EQ ticket requests will no longer be accepted from travel agents, regardless of the circumstance. Indian Railways has clearly stated that only legitimate authorities can request bookings under this quota to prevent manipulation and black-market sales.
2. Only Gazetted Officers Can Sign Requests
For an EQ requisition to be considered valid, it must now bear the signature of a Gazetted Officer. Along with the officer’s full name, designation, and contact details, the application must also include the mobile number of at least one traveling passenger.
3. Mandatory Record-Keeping
All government departments, officials, and organizations requesting EQ seats must maintain a dedicated logbook or register. This must include:
- Travel date and route
- Source and purpose of the request
- A diary number, which must be referenced in the written application
4. Greater Accountability
The person signing the EQ application will be held responsible for verifying the accuracy and authenticity of the information provided. This step is intended to increase personal accountability in the request process.
5. Retention of Documents
All written requisitions for EQ seats must be preserved for at least three months from the date of travel. This ensures traceability and helps with any future audits or verifications.
6. Tightened Monitoring of PRS Counters
To deter any possible collusion between reservation clerks and brokers, the Ministry has ordered regular inspections of Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. This move aims to enforce transparency and identify any irregularities in the booking system.
7. Strict Action Against Misuse
Officials have been explicitly warned against submitting unjustified or irrelevant EQ requests. The revised rules underscore a zero-tolerance policy toward any misuse of the Emergency Quota, which is meant strictly for genuine, urgent travel needs.
Why the Changes Now?
Although guidelines for EQ booking were originally set back in 2011, the Ministry found increasing evidence of their misuse. These updates reinforce those earlier instructions and establish a more robust and accountable system for managing emergency seat allocations.
The Indian Railways hopes these reforms will streamline EQ bookings, reduce fraudulent practices, and ensure that seats under this quota go to those who truly need them in times of emergency.
Passengers are encouraged to stay informed and avoid relying on unauthorized agents for EQ bookings under the new framework.
