1AC Without Paying For It? Passenger's Lucky Upgrade Is Making Us Jealous

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This Reddit user shared their surprise with a free upgrade of their 2nd AC train ticket to 1st AC with a screenshot of IRCTC's text.
Imagine travelling somewhere and getting a free upgrade. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? That is exactly what happened to one Reddit user, whose second AC train ticket was automatically upgraded to first AC, sparking surprise and a touch of envy online. The rare stroke of luck comes courtesy of IRCTC's lesser-known auto-upgradation scheme, which bumps confirmed or waitlisted passengers to higher classes at no additional cost, provided seats are available. The post prompted a flood of personal upgrade stories, with many likening the experience to 'winning a tiny lottery."
The original poster (OP) shared a screenshot of the Indian Railways' message, which read: 'PNR XXX, Congratulations! Your ticket has been automatically upgraded. Travel in the higher class at no extra cost. – IR-CRIS."
In their caption, the user noted that this was the first time they had received such an upgrade, writing, 'I was promoted from 2AC to first class." They added, 'Before the auto-upgrade feature started working properly, I always thought it was a joke."
The post drew hundreds of comments, with users sharing their own experiences, ranging from lucky upgrades to disappointing misses.
One user quipped receiving upgrade from Indian Railways was 'once in a lifetime event." Another user noted that receiving the upgrade depends on the train occupancy. 'I got lots of upgrades from 3rd AC to 1st AC," they said, adding that they deliberately never booked to confirm 3rd AC ticket. 'I always booked WL 5-8," the user added.
A third user noted that their waiting list tickets get updated till Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC).
But not everyone was as lucky. 'The opportunity I waited for my whole life. 3A to 2A, SL to 3A, yes. But never 2A to 1A," a user lamented.
What is the IRCTC auto-upgradation scheme?
The IRCTC's free auto-upgradation feature aims to fill vacant seats in higher-class coaches by upgrading passengers holding confirmed or waitlisted lower-class tickets. Depending on availability, a traveller may be bumped up by one or even two classes at no extra cost. However, many find this upgrade elusive. Despite booking several tickets, some passengers report never receiving an upgrade. For the lucky few who do, though, it feels like 'winning a tiny lottery", as one user described it.
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Segment Revenue (₹ Cr) in FY 25 EBITDA Margin (%) in FY25 Revenue (₹ Cr) in FY24 EBITDA Margin (%) in FY24 % Growth in Revenue Internet Ticketing 1,426 ~82% 1,295 82% ~10% Catering 2,125 ~13% 1,947 ~13% ~9% Rail Neer 394 ~12% 340 ~8% ~16% Tourism & Travel 744 ~13% 691 ~3% ~8% Total 4,674 – 4,260 – IRCTC ended FY25 with revenue of Rs 4,674 crore, growing ~10% year-over-year, and a net profit of Rs 1,314 crore, up nearly 19%. With EBITDA margins of 33%, zero long-term debt, and nearly Rs 2,000 crore in cash reserves, IRCTC is in a strong operational position. That said, the real question is, where does it go from here? IRCTC's recent disclosures point to three focused areas where the company is actively investing resources and seeing steady progress. These are segments where the company has operational control, demand visibility, and regulatory clarity. Catering remains the largest part of IRCTC's business, contributing over Rs 2,100 crore in FY25. 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Disclosure: The writer and his dependents do not hold the stocks discussed in this article. The website managers, its employee(s), and contributors/writers/authors of articles have or may have an outstanding buy or sell position or holding in the securities, options on securities or other related investments of issuers and/or companies discussed therein. The content of the articles and the interpretation of data are solely the personal views of the contributors/ writers/authors. Investors must make their own investment decisions based on their specific objectives, resources and only after consulting such independent advisors as may be necessary.

India.com

a day ago

• India.com

Explore Goa's Forgotten Railway Tunnels Lost In Time

The western coastal region of India holds Goa famous for both its white sandy beaches and Hispanic colonial past as well as its vivid local culture. History conceals a significant yet little-known passage of the past through hidden railway tunnels which are located near Goa City and fascinate scholars as well as local residents together with adventure seekers. The underground passageways remain mysterious and historic to the region by granting viewers important information about its past. 1.A Glimpse into History: The Birth of Goa's Railways The development of railways in Goa during British colonial rule marks the beginning of this secret tunnel history. During Portuguese rule of Goa which lasted until 1961 both Maharashtra and Karnataka maintained British administration. The construction of multiple rail lines enabled British territories to trade merchandise and transport goods to and from Portuguese Goa. During British colonial rule a railway line began operations from present-day Karnataka at Castle Rock before reaching Vasco da Gama through Margao which currently functions as part of Konkan Railway. The British alongside the Portuguese government enacted defensive measures towards vital infrastructure such as railways after World War II started. Underground tunnels were built to shield essential rail corridors from possible aerial attack or sabotage. Historical records combined with local testimonies prove the existence of these subterranean passageways which served key stations across Goa City even though they remained unauthorized by official authorities. and Accessibility The majority of these concealed passages are situated adjacent to major railway stations at Margao, Karmali Old Goa and Vasco da Gama. The Margao tunnel attracts special interest because it lies near Goa's heavily frequented road intersection. Most locals call the system the 'Margao Underground Passage' yet formal evidence about its World War II connection remains elusive. These tunnels remain off-limits to most people because they are controlled by Indian Railways through their priority to ensure railway safety and security. Time has led officials to seal multiple entrances because they wanted to stop unauthorized individuals from accessing these sites. City residents believe in secret pathways that penetrate deep into the hills beyond Goa City borders even though such claims lack factual evidence. and Engineering Marvels The main design goal of the tunnels supported railway infrastructure security and provided citizens escape paths in times of war. Archival evidence points to the fact that several tunnels served as supply stations to store ammunition together with other materials. The tunnels demonstrate innovative engineering work from their period by using solid masonry construction alongside ventilation designs for continued use beneath the surface. These structures stand out because they perfectly link with the natural geographic features of Goa. The engineers excavated numerous tunnels deep into the laterite rock deposits which naturally matched the surrounding environment. Through this method engineers improved structural integrity as well as decreased the tunnels' visibility to hostile military forces. and Local Lore People in the local area developed many stories about these underground passages during the years. Public myths describe soldier stashed treasures which were hidden deep inside these cavities as military forces withdrew from combat zones. Visitors remain fascinated by the abandoned passages because they say entities of the undead inhabit those spaces. A widely told local story decrees that Portuguese colonial officials secretly buried treasure near these tunnels. Local folklore asserts that Goa's most valuable treasures together with its gold supply departed through these underground passages shortly before the Indian annexation in 1961. The speculations find no firm proof but demonstrate the perpetual fascination people have toward subterranean passages. Significance and Challenges The hidden tunnels located in proximity to Goa City now serve as invaluable sites which preserve both archaeological and historical information. Archaeological evidence demonstrates how pre-independence India evolved socially and politically through joint work of British and Portuguese engineering teams. The preservation of these sites encounters major problems from human disregard and environmental hazards as well as physical invasion. Historians together with conservationists now push for public access to specific areas of these tunnels because they want to establish them as heritage sites. Initiatives to explore these spaces would create tourism opportunities alongside educating visitors about Goa's history that has received insufficient attention in the past. The accomplishment of heritage preservation efforts remains blocked by the combination of royal administrative obstacles and limited financial resources. Conclusion These hidden railway tunnels close to Goa City remain as completist evidence of a time when national powers prepared for multi-domain confrontations during wartime. Mainstream narratives have all but forgotten the legacy of these tunnels yet their stories and historical records continue to exist in oral traditions. Modern Goan tourism development may find value in unearthing and protecting these vanished relics to connect between historical heritage and current progress.