JUST AN SMS AND YOUR RAIL TICKET IS READY

                                 Fed up with long rail ticket queues,exploiting touts and internet blues?Here comes help.Now,in a matter of minutes and with two SMSs you can book your ticket through your mobile phone.

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday launched the facility,making easy purchase of tickets by 80 per cent population that owns mobile phones.The only limitations are that the software will accept entries only in English,and you cannot book ticket between 8 am and 12noon.

IRCTC has come up with a number of options for passengers to buy tickets without having to access the internet.Besides the short code 5675714,one can even send SMS to 139 or the Airtel money system *400# or the system powered by pyro where one needs to have a BSNL SIM card enabled with java computer language.To make use of any of these options,you have to get your mobile number registered with IRCTC,each SMS will cost Rs.3 and as the project is begin launched on a  pilot basis,mobile service providers have dispensed with agent charges for now.

These charges as and when imposed would be the same one pays to other agents,including online charges.One will not be required to carry a hard copy of the ticket while travelling-the SMSconfirmation will be vaild proof.The facility allows for ticket cancellation as well.

Mr.Kharge said anyone with a simple mobile phone would be able to buy reserved tickets from any corner of the country.This would put an end to fleecing by touts.Railway Board chairman Vinay Mittal said once the system stabilised it would be improved further.Noting that 45 per cent of the reserved tickets were booked through the internet,he said one way of easing the pressure was  to go for new technologies.

IRCTC managing director Rakesh Tandon said value added services would be provided in due course.Currently four lakh tickets were purchased online everyday,he said.

Revised Refund Rules w.e.f. 01.07.2013
1. Railway Passengers (Cancellation of ticket and Refund of fare) Rules, 1998 have not been substantially revised in the last 15 years during which period a large number of changes have taken place in the ticketing system of Indian Railways. Firstly, Computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) as well as Computerised Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS) have proliferated. Reservation through internet has also been introduced through which 45% of the total reserved tickets are issued. Integrated Train Enquiry System -- 139 is functional through which ticket status can be obtained through SMS. The above developments warranted that the refund rules be revised comprehensively. 2. Accordingly, Revised Refund Rules have been notified and shall come into force w.e.f. 01.07.2013. The amendments made in the Refund Rules are aimed at simplification, efficiency in processing and reduction of bogus refund claims. 3. The major changes in the existing rules and the amendments in refund rules are as under:- 3.1 Unused (unreserved) tickets on which no reservation has been made:
Existing Rules Amended Rules If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented to the station master for cancellation refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage. If a ticket on which no reservation of a seat or berth has been made is presented for cancellation, refund of fare shall be made on every such ticket after deducting the clerkage. (i) within three hours after the actual departure of the train for which the ticket is issued or (i)The ticket shall be presented for cancellation within three hours of issue of ticket. (ii) for any ticket valid for the whole day, within three hours after the actual departure of the last train of the day for the destination station (ii) In case of tickets issued in advance the ticket is presented upto 2400 hours of the day preceding the day of journey 3.2 Unused tickets on which reservation has been made: (i) if the ticket is presented for cancellation more than forty eight hours instead of the existing 24 hours in advance of the scheduled departure of the train, a minimum per passenger cancellation charge shall be deducted at the flat rate of rupees one hundred and twenty for air-conditioned first class/executive class, rupees one hundred for air-conditioned-II tier/first class, rupees ninety for air-conditioned III-tier/ 3 economy/air-conditioned chair car, rupees sixty for sleeper class and rupees thirty for second class. (ii) if the ticket is presented for cancellation between forty eight hours and upto six hours instead of existing 24 hours and upto 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train, cancellation charge shall be twenty five per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge. (iii) if the ticket is presented for cancellation within six hours instead of existing 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto two hours irrespective of distance instead of existing 3/6/12 hours for distance 200 kms/200-500 kms/500 Kms and above after the actual departure of the train, the cancellation charge shall be fifty per cent of the fare subject to a minimum of the cancellation charge. (iv) No refund shall be granted on the reserved ticket if it is surrendered for cancellation after two hours of the actual departure of the train. (v) In case, on a party ticket or a family ticket issued for travel of more than one person, some persons have confirmed reservation and others are on waiting list, full refund of fare, less clerkage, shall be admissible for confirmed passengers also provided that the entire ticket is surrendered for cancellation within six hours instead of existing 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train and upto two hours instead of existing 3 hours after actual departure of the train..