My Experiments with Indian Railways

The most difficult thing with Indian Railways is getting a train ticket...this is near impossible if your journey date is during a weekend or festival time like.. Onam, X'mas, Dewali etc... The funniest thing is that they allow you to book ticket 3 months in advance.... That's too early for someone like me to plan and act on...for that matter..any Indian..

I always think about things at the last moment...not because...I want it that way....but because...that's how my gene's are coded.. But It seems like Indian Railyway's is able to alter my genetic code with their 3 months advance booking feature...I used to book ticket always on the opening day of booking...and that too exactly at 8.AM. The reason is that, if I don't get train ticket I will have to travel..on local buses..that is hell!!

So.. the question in your mind is where do I go so often??.. Yeah! I am a home sick guy....My home is Kerala.. and I work in Bangalore away from home, 624km precisely. I go home quite often..minimum once in a month...anyway..its just an over night journey...you don't need to be home sick to go home so often...

But nowadays my gene's are fighting back...the trigger is Tatkal ticket feature of railways department...yes..now you can book Tatkal ticket just two days in advance...But the probability of getting a Tatkal ticket is the same as getting a Nobel prize for Physics...

But with my years of research and experiments..with Indian Railways booking service, I can now book a Tatkal ticket with almost 99% predictability...

But what I need for that..
1. A Core 2 Duo processor computer with minimum 256kbps..reliable Internet connection
2. An Alarm clock that works with 100% accuracy..

How to book a Tatkal Ticket using IRCTC

1. Get enough sleep the day before booking date.
2. Set alarm for 7.30AM and go to sleep with a calm mind.
3. When you hear the alarm, get up immediately ..resist temptation to press snooze button.
4. Wash your face, brush your teeth..urinate...
5. At 7.45 start your computer..
6. Start modem also..and check internet connection
7. If you see that internet connection is down...Dont think twice..go for Plan B described below.
8. Login to www.irctc.co.in ( I assume you have registered before)
9. After you login go to "Plan My Travel" page and press "Refresh" every 5 seconds
10.When the time displayed on the page turns 8.00.01 book your ticket..

You will get ticket..I always get..

Plan B - How to book Tatkal ticket using mobile phone

If Internet connection is down...Use your mobile..

What you need to use Mobile for booking

1. A decent mobile phone with Java support
2. GPRS subscription
3. Ngpay shopping software

There is a mobile application callled "Ngpay" download it and be ready to use it.
 http://www.ngpay.com

The above 10 steps are applicable for Ngpay also..