Going beyond online booking of tickets, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is now working towards introducing a "Dial-a-Ticket" service sometime next month.
Currently under trial, the service will allow passengers book tickets simply by dialing a three or four digit number that is yet to be finalized and get tickets delivered at their doorstep. The service is an extension to the Unified 139 Inquiry Service through which passengers can get updates on reservation and hotel booking.
The Railways have applied to the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for a dedicated three or four digit non-STD number for the service. The mode of payment too is not yet finalized requiring passengers, at least initially, to make payments through railway cash cards. Later the service would be extended to credit cards once the project is fully under way.
With this move, the Railways are aiming to reduce the serpentine queues at ticket booking counters at railway stations. The service is also intended to benefit rural masses and those not familiar with the Internet.
Additionally, the IRCTC has already introduced wait-listed e-ticketing since May 10. Before which, only confirmed railway tickets were available through online booking. In case you want to cancel the wait-listed ticket, you can do it online with the refund amount being automatically credited to your account.
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