Train passengers may not have to very soon face the travails of standing
in long queues at reservation counters to procure tickets. Railways is
seriously mulling over an idea to book tickets on phone for any destination and
class at the country level.
According to a Railway Board official, while online ticket booking
facilities for e-ticketing and cell phone ticket booking have evoked impressive
response from passengers across the country, the idea to book tickets on phone
calls is gaining importance among railway circles. "Efforts are going on
to make this project a reality now," he said.
Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is working on
the project seriously to make it come true. There is every possibility that a
new inquiry number - 138 - would be used at the country level for booking
tickets on phone calls. Passengers booking their tickets by phone calls would
have to use cash cards purchased from IRCTC counters, an IRCTC official said,
adding delivery of tickets could be from either the PRS (passenger reservation
system) or collection centres.
Thus, railway tickets would be made available at the passengers'
doorsteps. Phone calls could be made from all telecom operators, sources said.
An IRCTC official said the new system would enable passengers to access
travel-related information like availability of accommodation, 'tatkal'
booking, train number, concession and cancellation as well, while the railway
inquiry number 139 would continue to offer basic service like PNR details and
other information.
Meanwhile, East Central Railway (ECR) has taken several measures to
prevent misuse of 'tatkal' scheme by touts or vested interests at all major
stations under its jurisdiction. With a view to reducing the chances of misuse
of e-ticketing, railways has already stopped 'quick book option' and 'cash
booking' between 8am and 9am every day. Besides, each individual is allowed to
book only two tickets between 8am and 9am to check misuse of 'tatkal' scheme,
said an ECR official.
Besides, railways has made it compulsory to carry one of the eight
prescribed identity proofs by any passenger booking tickets under the 'tatkal'
scheme to prevent transfer of 'tatkal ' tickets, an ECR official said.
(C) Times of
India
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