IRCTC is reportedly developing a more user-friendly and clutter-free website and app.
Even with low cost airlines stepping in, a majority of Indians still rely on Indian railways as their primary mode of travel. While the Indian Railways is convenient with its footprints webbed across the country, there is one bit of it which has always been inconvenient, and that is the very process of booking tickets. While earlier people had to queue up on railway stations for hours to score a ticket, IRCTC then eventually moved to a dedicated website, which was buggy and tends to overload very easily.
However, with time, the Railways has been learning this importance of its ticketing platform to be more seamless. In a similar effort, railways is reportedly launching a revamped website and a new Android-based Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) mobile app to ensure faster and easier ticket-booking.
The new website is aimed to be much more user-friendly and clutter-free, with easier log-in and navigation. The current website gives users a very short bracket of time to make bookings or plan a travel, post that duration the website times out and forces you to log in and book all over again. The improved website aims to better that. ALSO READ: IRCTC launches cash on delivery service for tatkal bookings
Additionally, there are also some new features that are being introduced in the new app and website. Some of which are a display of confirmed tickets and dates to help plan journey by relying on data analytics, and also curb misuse of facilities such as Tatkal. ALSO READ: Here’s how to order from KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s on Shatabdi, Rajdhani trains
Along with that, railways also plans to start a mechanism to send SMS alerts to travellers about arrival and departure of trains on a real-time basis. Text alerts will also be sent to passengers during the journey about any delay, cause of delay and the time the train will take to reach the next station and its final destination. These real time tracker will be integrated with the new app and website with the help of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). ALSO READ: IRCTC to introduce insurance cover for mobiles, laptops
Earlier this year, IRCTC also launched a new ticketing App, IRCTC Rail Connect, to facilitate booking of train tickets in a faster and easier way. Equipped with latest technology, the new app also makes possible booking of tatkal ticket, ladies quota, premium tatkal quota booking and current reservation. The app allowed travelers to search and book train tickets, check their existing reservations or cancel them, and get upcoming journey alerts in the new application. ALSO READ: IRCTC to offer travel insurance worth Rs 10 lakh for Re 1