By IANS
New Delhi : Very soon you may be able to buy your railway ticket from the nearest post office.
This facility would initially be available in 30 post offices in different parts of the country, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said here Tuesday.
The post offices would issue railway e-tickets with a minimum service charge of Rs.25, Lalu Prasad said after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Communications Minister A. Raja at a ceremony in Rail Bhawan.
Prasad said: “Today a new chapter is being written in the history of Indian Railways and the communications ministry. Now computerised railway tickets will be available to people in the most far-flung areas, wherever computerised post offices exist.”
He said: “Initially 30 post offices have been selected, but in future if this venture proves successful, it will be expanded further.”
The minister also assured, “This venture will not affect any railway employees and none will be retired or discharged from service.”
Explaining the MoU, he said India Post (department of posts) would issue reserved railway tickets through the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters provided by Indian Railway at post offices.
The centres will be named ‘India Post PRS Centres’.
“India Post will make railway bookings through the computerised PRS centres at locations agreed to by the railways ministry and India Post,” said a railway ministry statement.
“The ministry of railways will provide hardware, communications equipment and communication channels for which initial, as well as recurring, cost will be borne by the railway ministry.”
India Post will provide accommodation, lighting and infrastructure for the PRS counters. This agreement is valid for a period of five years, the statement said.