And so I was left with a train journey, and of course there would always be a reserved seat for me exclusively, best for an example purpose: only to find another person occupying my seat reserved over booking. Not much to say because the Indian Railways took care of passengers in claiming rightful seats almost instantly. If you happen to experience this kind of trouble, send an instant message to the railway authorities.
So, what are you waiting for? Follow the step-by-step guide to get this matter sorted quickly.
What To Do If Someone Else Occupies Your Seat?
If you happen to find someone else sitting on your reserved seat, follow these steps:
1. Request the Person to Leave the Seat Quietly
- Show the person your ticket and ask them to vacate the seat.
- Sometimes passengers unknowingly take a seat that is reserved while travelling. A simple polite dissention can clear out the issue.
2. Send a Complaint Message to Indian Railways
In case the person refuses to depart, send complaint message via an SMS or WhatsApp.
- IRCTC Complaint SMS Number:139
- Format: Write SEAT <Train Number> <Coach Number> <Seat Number> <PNR Number>** and drop to 139.
- Also, available for lodging complaints through the Rail Madad App or by calling railway authorities.
3. Contact Train Ticket Examiner (TTE)
Once you’ve sent the message, a TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) will be called and will assist you in claiming your seat. Approach the TTE also directly when on board, showing him/her your valid ticket.
4. Contact via Social Media for Immediate Action
Indian Railways is very much active on Twitter (X), and Indian Railways responds very fast to passenger issues. You can tag @RailwaySeva mentioning the train number, seat details, and PNR number to get efficient help.
What Happens Next?
- If the person seated on your reserved seat does not carry a valid ticket, he/she will be directed to vacate immediately.
- Otherwise, the person may be fined or off-boarded by railway authorities.
- Where there is a problem regarding allotment, the TTE will provide an alternative seat to you.
Conclusion
To reach on easy resolution on the part of Indian Railways, SMS, Rail Madad App, or even direct complaints to TTE are advisable to solve the annoyances caused by seeing your seat occupied by someone else. So, if by any chance one stumbles across this problem, make sure to follow the above-mentioned process immediately to get back to your site and smoothen your travel.
Also Read: Indian Railways General Ticket Update: New Passenger Benefits From March 1