I wanted a ticket from Jammu to Pune for my sister, as she wanted to go there for GDPI of MBA. So i remained trying to do it from internet (IRCTC), but the moment irctc starts at 8am its waiting list shoots up. I have never seen an availability at exact 8am, even-though it starts at 8am.
So after a continuous week long failure on internet, I decided to go to Jammu railway station to book ticket. I reached there early morning at around 6am but there were few guys who had started a queue. I was on 5th position. At 8am, gate opened and all rushed for counter. Some how I also managed to reach counter and i was first to reach that counter. I gave him filled form to book a ticket, so after clicking on computer for few seconds he told me that there is waiting in Tatkal. How is this possible???!!! I was really surprised, but didnt said him anything.
I tried again next day by reaching there at 4:30am, but all in vain.
So I thought of one more try. I reached there at around 5am. When i was in queue, a guy came to me and told me, "Why are bothering yourself by coming daily here so early. You wont get ticket here. If you want ticket come aside.". I went with him. He took me to the left side corner and told me, "I can arrange ticket but you have to pay me more than double". When I asked him, "How is this possible as I am coming everyday and even though not able to get ticket". His answer made me crazy about the railways system. He told me," I know few employees who are working on Computers to book the tickets at counter. They will manage to get the ticket. As these days new DM has arrived here. As he is strict, the rates are high these days. So rest its your wish." For a while I thought and gave him Rs.2000 for a sleeper ticket, as it was about my sister's carrier.
At 8am when gate opened, everybody rushed to the counter but this guy was interacting with somebody on mobile and just after few seconds he handed over me the confirmed Tatkal Ticket. I thanked him and returned with a ticket.
But while coming back to home I was just thinking how corrupted system is ours and unfortunately I have become one too because of my urgency. Here a common man is always at suffer end.
So I am writing this complaint only because of my experience and with a hope that someday this Nexus between Travel Agents & Railway Employee will come to an end and common man will not suffer that much as I was.

And I want to get clear on one more thing. I have made this complaint through a fake account, where except my email id not a single information is correct. The reason is simple. As I belong to Jammu only, I know if people here will know about me after posting this, they will tore me up and will cut me into pieces.

I will only beg to the administration of Indian Railways to look in this matter and save common man.

Thank You.