Do you use a CDMA mobile or have a GPRS connection? If yes, mobile reservation of railway tickets can happen anytime (as per IRCTC time for booking) anywhere; this facility is introduced by IRCTC to the advantage of the travelers.
Do you use a CDMA mobile or have a GPRS connection? If yes, mobile reservation of railway tickets can happen anytime (as per IRCTC time for booking) anywhere; this facility is introduced by IRCTC to the advantage of the travelers. Currently, only three mobile operators have tied up with IRCTC for mobile reservation; these are MTNL (Delhi and NCR), Reliance Communications (all circles), and IDEA Cellular (in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi/NCR). BSNL, MTNL-Mumbai, Tata Indicom are on their way of finalizing their collaboration with IRCTC to facilitate mobile reservation of their users.
How do you proceed about doing a mobile reservation? Well, for availing this facility, you will have to get yourself registered at the IRCTC corporate site, i.e. irctc.co.in. There is a check box with the option ‘I am willing to have Mobile-Booking feature using my mobile phone’. Click on the box and enter the information as directed. Those who are already registered at IRCTC have to select ‘mobile booking’ option. Click on the ‘update profile’ to continue.
You will have to pay extra fees per ticket if you go for mobile railway reservation facilitated by IRCTC. For first class and all AC classes, IRCTC charges Rs. 60 per ticket and Rs. 40 for second class sitting and second class sleeper. An additional Rs. 10 will be charged for transaction by ICICI. Besides, charges levied by mobile operators per tickets depend on the tariff plans.
Irrespective of whether you do a railway booking via mobile or at a travel portal or at the IRCTC website or the Indian railways site, you cannot get a confirmation of your ticket unless there is availability of seats. Go for advanced bookings for seat confirmation. IRCTC and Indian Railways site facilitate travelers get PNR status in case of non confirmation of tickets, via SMS, telephone and online.
IRCTC runs a PNR status search tool. All you need to do is visit the related page, enter the 10 digit PNR number and get the status. Instant result is always assured; the data is updated almost every minute. Of course, you may not get the berth number and seat number even if the seat is confirmed. It gets displayed in the PNR status page a few hours before departure of the concerned train. Do carry a printout of your confirmed PNR status page so that if any hassles crop up you can show it.
Steily william is freelance Railways and travel guide writer and is writing review articles on PNR Status, India Travel Guide, IRCTC, India Tourist Guide, Train Tickets. For more details on the Indian Railways you can visit Zoomtra.com.
