IRCTC launches a light version website for 'Tatkal' e-ticket booking

It seems that IRCTC has taken a serious note about the anguish of passengers willing to book an e-ticket during TATKAL hours of booking. A common problem was experienced that the website was either not opening properly during TATKAL hours or it was running so slow that booking of an e-ticket was almost a nightmare during the period. Though there were different school of thoughts regarding the problem. Some has stated it "as the website of IRCTC was so heavy that it experienced difficulty in functioning during busy hours like TATKAL due to excessive rush of users." Whereas some had an opinion that the "website was being hacked by the travel agents or brokers." What so ever was the reason but, it has been resulting in a duress and agony for the passengers those who had a plan of travel in a shorter notice. Astonishingly, there was no such visible expedient from IRCTC to offer any relief to the passengers.

It has appeared as a pleasant surprise from IRCTC that they have launched a lightweight version of their website for booking of an e-ticket during TATKAL hours. It is really pleasant to see that IRCTC has tried to show their concern about the duress of their passengers who had to suffer a lot due to this problem. Use of this website is also very simple. As you'll type www.irctc.co.in in the address bar during TATKAL hour it automatically takes you to the login page of the new website.

Immediately, after login with your id you are automatically migrated to the next generation e-Ticketing website. Here, you'll get options for print/cancel/file TDR for earlier transactions you've made or you can opt for proceeding for a fresh new booking.

It is really a simplified and user friendly version providing utmost comfort and relief. Now, depending upon your need you should select for the option and proceed. Its working unexpectedly fast and serves to your need quite reasonably. One must thank Indian Railways for this humble remedy of a severe problem persisting since long.

After selecting for booking a new e-ticket it takes you to the new link automatically i.e. https://nget.irctc.co.in/eticketing/home. However, you can access this new site directly also at https://nget.irctc.co.in. Further, after giving inputs about your plan of travel you get a quick view of availability of berths.

Now. select your options and proceed for booking. Its really simplified, hassle free and smiling experience. So, now onward whenever you have a short noticed plan for travel a long distance, instead of searching a broker for making you available a confirm TICKET at a licentious cost 'Try this new amenity of comfort."  

Indian Rail : Book Your ticket on your Cell

Indian Railway is now all set to launch a new Ticket Reservation System which shall be operative through the Cell Phones. This is for the very first time in INDIA when a passenger will be able to book his tickets through Cell Phones.

According to the news the new scheme has been approved by the Railway Board and RBI has also given mandatory clearance for the same. It is considered that this scheme will be helpful for the passengers in order to get rid from the grip of booking agents or pimps. Officials of Railway Board had assured that necessary measures has been taken by making certain necessary modifications in the software for the prevention from misuse of it. It is said that this scheme will be proved simple for the Cell Phone users. However, a customer will have to download an application to book a journey ticket through his/her Cell Phone. One more limitation of the scheme is that it will not work on any ordinary Cell Phone, a Java enabled handset will be required to book tickets under this scheme.

Moreover, the system is same as e-ticket booking, though initiatives has been taken to make the project viable by setting up kiosks at different locations to help the customers. One may opt for delivery of ticket by a courier or those having e-mail id may get the same online also. According to an IRCTC source the passenger will receive a reservation message immediately after booking of the tickets with full details of the ticket including PNR No, Train No, Date of Journey, Class of Journey and other relevant details. This message shall be treated as good as the printout of e-ticket, popularly known as electronic reservation slip (ERSs).

Basically, two non-internet systems had been developed by IRCTC which can be used with even simple feature phones. Tickets can be booked through a simple text messaging based facility or a menu based dialing service. It would be any time anywhere service and the bookings shall be done in a secure manner. Main advantage of this system is that there would be no need to log on to internet or to stand for hours in a queue at reservation counters. 

If you wish to know more about the scheme please visit the IRCTC link - https://www.irctc.co.in/beta_htmls/SMS_USSD.html

Perhaps, its time to say goodbye to old counter paper tickets. Though, it would be too early to predict the benefits of new system. Hope, waiting in a queue for getting a reserved ticket shall be a story of older days.