New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- Booking train tickets during peak festive seasons like Diwali or Chhath Puja is often a daunting task. With tickets getting snapped up well in advance, waiting lists can become long, leaving many unsure if they will be able to celebrate with their families. Some passengers even resort to alternative travel modes, or worse, travel without a confirmed ticket.

To address this, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced a new feature called the Vikalp Scheme.

The IRCTC Vikalp Scheme allows passengers with waitlisted (WL) or RAC tickets to opt for an alternate train running on the same route, increasing the chance of securing a confirmed seat, though it is not guaranteed.

Under this sche...