[Resolved]  Indian Railways — e-Ticket

Dear Sir:

Last month i.e.in August, I made a visit to Agra with my family from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. I booked my to and fro tickets one month in advance from Rajahmundry at Railway Station. The tickets are not e-tickets.

I booked my return ticket from Agra to Rajahmundry in Swarnajayanthi express for 16th august, 2009. But the railway authorities cancelled the train due to some problems.So, I need to cancel the ticket (total fare paid back by the railways with zero cancellation charges). But many passengers have to start at the same moment to andhra and we got no time to book the return tickets. So, I took the help of internet and booked e-ticket from Agra to Rajahmundry in Dakshin Express.

But, I don't have any photo identity proof with me which I came to know that it is necessary to travel by e-Ticket. Since, I had the original ticket provided by railways (before cancellation of swarna jayanti express), I didn't keep any of my photo identity proofs. So after getting in to the train with e-ticket the ticket inspector charged the total fare on ticket and some extra fine by considering that we are travelling with out a ticket (according to the rules of Indian railways e-ticket service). I showed him my ATM cards with my name and photo, my old cancelled ticket and even the photo identity card of my membership in Dayalbagh satsang, Agra which I visited. Even our names are matching with the list the inspector is having, but nothing worked out. He want either PAN card, Passport, Identity card from a state or central government.

This actual problem arised because of the cancellation of the Train Swarna Jayanthi. What I feel is Railway authorities must run another train because there were many passengers who need to travel. It is the season and many will travel from agra only because they visit Dayalbagh Spiritual organization during this month. Many of the satsangis sufferred a lot. I didn't understand why the e-ticket must require all these photo identity proofs because the ticket will be generated by IRCTC computer only. Infact what is the difference between original ticket and e-ticket. Infact any duplicate person can travel with original railway ticket then why railways is so particular about e-ticket. Every passenger should then carry his/her photo identity card.

Please suggest me whether is there any chance of getting my money? If not please let me know what mistake I did and is it really necessary to carry photo identity card along with e-ticket while the ticket purchased from the railway counter do not require such proofs even though chances of misusing the tickets are high.

Thanking you,

M. A. V. Rama Rao
APP Mills
Rajahmundry
Ph:[protected]