Indian railways have been pioneer in using technology to improve efficiency and services. In the current budget allocation, Rs5,000 crore has been dedicated to IT and research. Let’s take a look at the initiatives rolled out in recent times:-
- Railways have extended the station-based e-catering service to 408 stations giving passengers with more food choices.
- Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have announced a tie-up with a private chain of hotels for providing standardised accommodation to train travellers – the aim is to offer a convenient booking platform. The partnership will facilitate OYO to power the IRCTC hotel-booking page, offering their inventory and promise of standardised amenities to passengers
- Indian Railways has also launched web-based management system to monitor track maintenance and inspection online. This is a great achievement to monitor the track on real time basis.
- The Railway Ministry launched handheld terminals for Northern Railways travelling ticket examiners (TTEs), which means that TTE will no longer be required to carry reservation charts on trains.
- The ministry has also launched a facility for E-booking of disposable linen on trains. Scheme offers a bedroll kit packed in a non-woven fabric bag consisting of one pillow and two cotton bed sheets at Rs.140 while the other costing Rs.110 offers a single blanket in a non-woven bag (inclusive of all taxes).
- Setting up Wi-Fi at 400 stations in next 2 years.
- Coin-cum-card operated automatic ticket vending machines at New Delhi railway station, under which a passenger gets ticket quickly under five minutes. These ticket vending machines shall be installed at all the major stations in the country.
- A knowledge portal with detailed information on Indian Railways has been launched. Website URL is kportal.indianrailways.gov.in.
- In order to bring transparency and efficiency, railways launched a web portal for the e-tendering process.
- ‘utsonmobile’ mobile app was launched for paperless unreserved ticket booking.