Operation 30 seconds, an impactful sting operation brings to light the scam behind the Railway Tatkal booking process
IBN7 did a sting operation and uncovered a scam involving the Railway’s Tatkal ticket booking process. Reacting to this IBN7 exposé, the Railway Minister has ordered a probe into the matter.
As per IBN7’s exposé, a software through which tatkal ticket can be booked in as less as 30 seconds has been designed. This software allows registered agents to bypass IRCTC’s site to get tatkal tickets booked. The group behind the software rents the same out to the travel agents on a monthly basis, using which these agents can first book and then sell tickets at premium rates. This arrangement leaves genuine passengers with little scope of being able to book tickets – something that anyone who has ever tried to book a tatkal ticket has experienced at some time or the other. As per IBN7’s understanding, there is a possbility that this underground racket involves many people, including agents.
The sting operation was conducted through phone calls and verified and captured by in-person visits and interviews of parties invovled. The show which aired on the 16th of October at 9 p.m on the channel has got the attention of the government and compelled them to take action.