Kharge puts thrust on information technology use in railways

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, presenting the interim railway budget in the Lok Sabha, said Wednesday some information technology measures which revolutionised the railways customer interface in the last few years will continue.

He said there will be proliferation of cash accepting automatic ticket vending machines, ticketing on mobile phones in the unreserved segment, PNR status update to passengers through system generated SMS, an update for train running information, and online booking of retiring rooms at all important stations.

Kharge added that online booking of meals on trains for selected en-route stations will also be facilitated.

Introduction of e-forwarding note and electronic transmission of railway receipts for freight customers, which will enable users to carry out freight business with railways from the comfort of their homes and offices would be taken care of, he said.

He also added that computerisation of claims settlement process on Indian Railways will be done.