Clearly Quota distribution is to be changed. 1.5 years ago, I had to book 2 tickets, HWH-MLDT, MLDT-NJP to travel in the train.
MLDT-NJP ke bich nominal bookings rehti hai. And NJP Shatabdi ka thoda variant hai. 2 years ago, right around 19 December, my ticket to NJP remained waitlisted in NJP Shatabdi. Possibly pichle kuch time mein ek do permanent augmentation hue hai jo ki off season mein utna nahi bharte hai. But then, kuch log last minute bookings bhi lete hai is train mein, by paying TTE difference of fare!