Railways to launch commercial portal
With plans to launch a commercial portal, Railways will soon be able to conduct all its business transactions online, including those related to freight services and even scrap auction.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: With plans to launch a commercial portal, Railways will soon be able to conduct all its business transactions online, including those related to freight services and even scrap auction, apart from providing all transport-related information to travellers.
The portal, which will deal with procurement, freight services, parcel bookings and scrap auction, will also introduce online bidding for vacant seats in trains.
"Many IT majors including Satyam, Wipro and HCL have shown interest and have already made presentation for the proposed new portal. The Ministry will float the tenders inviting bids for setting up the portal this year," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
Currently, online booking and cancellation facilities of train tickets are available on the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) while the Railway's official website gives basic information on train timings, fares, routes and reservation status.
The proposed portal will be like the National Stock Exchange to facilitate transport and trade for railways, said the official.
The portal is being developed by the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS). It is estimated to cost about Rs 100 crores and will be executed in public-private partnership.
On plans to introduce online bidding for vacant seats, the official said bidding will be permitted below the notified price.
For example, if there are vacant seats available in AC two-tier coaches, the bidding will start from the AC three-tier fares.
The portal, which will deal with procurement, freight services, parcel bookings and scrap auction, will also introduce online bidding for vacant seats in trains.
"Many IT majors including Satyam, Wipro and HCL have shown interest and have already made presentation for the proposed new portal. The Ministry will float the tenders inviting bids for setting up the portal this year," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
Currently, online booking and cancellation facilities of train tickets are available on the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) while the Railway's official website gives basic information on train timings, fares, routes and reservation status.
The proposed portal will be like the National Stock Exchange to facilitate transport and trade for railways, said the official.
The portal is being developed by the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS). It is estimated to cost about Rs 100 crores and will be executed in public-private partnership.
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On plans to introduce online bidding for vacant seats, the official said bidding will be permitted below the notified price.
For example, if there are vacant seats available in AC two-tier coaches, the bidding will start from the AC three-tier fares.
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