For reservations in particular, where they can be made 363 days in advance, the first date of potential impact on the travel system would be January 4, 1999. On that date, the '00 year value that will be circulating in the systems could cause malfunctions, if not processed properly.

But the service providers state otherwise. In recently released statements, Amadeus states that it has recognised that this is a business and not just an IT problem. The company adds that in order to address this, the Y2K project has been going on since 1996, with an initial impact assessment having taken place at the end of that year.

In the middle of 1997, a pilot project was undertaken,where some central system functionalities were tested on a Y2K database to simulate how the system would react when it really is year 2000, according to Amadeus officials. All this has been estimated to have cost $ 23 million.

But what has Amadeus done to help its customers? ``In addition to the testing already underway, the company has launched a programme worldwide to help its travel agency customers overcome the millennium bug. In collaboration with the national marketing companies, Amadeus is making sure that necessary action is being taken to prevent any year 2000 related disruptions that may affect any agency's business. As part of the process, national information and awareness programmes for travel agencies in various countries are being initiated and implemented. Teams of Year 2000 specialists are also making on site assessments in critical areas,'' state company officials.

``The travel agents also have a vital role to play in ensuring that all systems are Y2K-efficient. It is our commitment tocreate an awareness about Y2K compliance within the Indian sub-continent Amadeus family and to provide them with information and support to enable them to counter the Year 2000 bug, says Ankur Bhatia, Director, Amadeus India.

Sounds good, but travel agents in the country state the exact opposite. Most agents contend that they have neither been approached nor intimated about the Y2K problem and the system compliance by any of the service providers.

States Subhash Goyal, chairman STIC Travels and president of the Indian Association of Tour Operators: ``We have still not received any circular or even a verbal intimation about the Y2K problem and how to address it. All we have seen are press reports stating that the service providers have made provisions to address the problem.''

Goyal adds: ``I feel that it is going to take at least six months before the service providers get down to the grassroots.''

Singing the Amadeus tune is its main competitor Galileo International, which states that it hasdeveloped a year 2000 time machine to test its internal systems and interfaces with customers, vendors and third parties to help ensure that its systems function smoothly into and beyond the year 2000.

``Testing on this machine has shown that Galileo's host systems and host subscriber products are Y2K-ready,'' the company adds.

This time machine is a full simulation of Galileo's production systems that can recreate critical date horizons. It provides a realistic test environment without the risk of disrupting business operations. This time machine is being used with selected vendors, agencies and suppliers for validation of its own hardware systems and interfaces.

``Since 1995, Galileo International has been working in this direction. Travel agents have been told to undertake six steps to ensure that they are year 2000 compliant. These include conducting of an inventory, contacting the manufacturer/developer, conducting research, upgradation or replacement of systems, testing of systems in advance andworking with business partners,'' states Raja Natesan, National Sales and Service Manager, Galileo India.

However, travel agents state that many more issues need to be addressed in this regard. States Amrish Mahajan of Travel House: ``While the hardware of these companies is in place, it would still take a few months before the software falls in line. It seems apparent that a lot of work has already taken place. But the companies are still working towards the software becoming Y2K compliant. This is largely because the databases of the top companies are based abroad. Thus only when all their ground systems (that is, hardware) are in place, can they ensure that the software is also working. I do expect this to happen by the end of this calender year.''

But Galileo's Natesan doesn't believe that this whole exercise is being conducted last of all in India. Natesan states: ``From a technical viewpoint, India is as aware of the Y2K problem as the developed countries. Top companies, especially service orientedcompanies, started Y2K testing on international parameters long back here.'' However, he agrees that in India, users are not as aware of the implications of the Y2K problem as those in the West.