Understanding PQWL in Railways Ticket Booking

Have you ever faced the dilemma of booking a PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List) ticket for your railway journey? Would you like to know your chances of confirmation and what factors can influence this? This article will help you understand the PQWL ticket reservation system, along with the likelihood of confirmation and tips to increase your chances of success.

What is PQWL?

PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List) means Pooled Quota Waiting List. It's a waiting list category that has the lowest priority for confirmation to a confirmed status. Think of it as a chance to secure a ticket, but there are higher priority categories such as RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) and GNWL (General Wait List) that take precedence.

Chances of Confirmation

Confirming a PQWL ticket is more likely, but not guaranteed. The chances of confirmation are around 90%, yet several factors can determine whether your PQWL ticket will be confirmed:

Current Status: You can check the current status of your ticket on the railway official website or app. Regularly monitoring your ticket status can provide insights. Train Occupancy: Cancellations or no-shows can free up seats and increase the chances of your PQWL ticket being confirmed. Availability of Seats: The number of passengers who cancel their confirmed tickets can affect the likelihood your PQWL ticket will be confirmed.

Real-world Examples

One example is a RLWL (Reservation Laid Waiting List) ticket booked 60 days in advance, but it remained at RLWL 6 after charting. Another example is a PQWL 4 booked for 03 July, still at PQWL 1. GNWL 112 booked in GT Express from New Delhi to Itarsi just before charting was confirmed. These examples show that confirmation is not guaranteed, but there are better chances for some tickets.

When is PQWL Confirmed?

PQWL tickets are not confirmed until the train chart is prepared, which typically occurs a few hours before the train's departure. Your ticket will be confirmed by this time, but there is a chance that it may not be.

Increasing Your Chances of Confirmation

To increase your chances of PQWL confirmation, consider the following:

Check the current status of your ticket frequently. Be aware of train occupancy levels; cancellations can free up seats. Be mindful of seat availability; cancellations of confirmed tickets can influence your confirmation. If your journey is crucial, consider alternative travel arrangements as well.

Comparison with RAC and GNWL

PQWL tickets generally have a lower chance of confirmation compared to RAC and GNWL. Other factors such as the number of coaches, the same class you booked, and the route of the booked train, board, and disembarkation points, can also impact the confirmation process.

For instance, a real example is given here with dates and numbers to illustrate the situation:

Date Roll No Status Date Booked Time Booked Scheduled Trains Status Trains 28/06/2020 6 PQWL (Pooled Quota Waiting List) 27/05/2020 8.00am 200 4

Remember that booking an alternate train can at least secure an RAC reservation ticket. Keeping a backup plan is always a good idea.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PQWL tickets come with a high but not guaranteed chance of confirmation. Regularly checking your ticket status and being aware of factors that can influence confirmation can help increase your chances. Always have a backup plan for your journey to ensure you won't miss your destination.