New system soon to book train e-tickets

New Delhi -  The railways are introducing another system to book e-tickets. This will involve the Interbank Mobile Payment Service, railway sources said Friday.

"Even if one does not have a credit or debit card or net banking facility, he may still be able to book a rail e-ticket making the payment through IMPS," an Indian Railway Catering and Tourism  Corp official said.

The IRCTC books more than four lakh e-tickets a day.

According to the officials, until now passengers used to pay for their e-tickets through credit cards, debit cards or net banking facilites.

"Now they will have IMPS as one more option," an official said.

However, initially, IMPS users can make the payment only through internet in the IRCTC's e-ticketing website.

Later, the facility will be available through mobile phone, officials said, adding that the IMPS allows instant interbank fund transfer and 24x7 availability. He said IMPS would save time and  also provide security.

The IRCTC is also planning to launch another system in which a user will be able to book tickets against advance money kept with the corporation.

Under the new scheme, called Rolling Deposit Scheme (RDS), a user can deposit money in advance with IRCTC and use it as a payment option amongst other payment options for paying  money at the time of booking tickets.