In a move to prevent touts who book tickets on fake identities and then sell them off on higher prices, Indian Railways will soon make Aadhaar mandatory for online booking of train tickets.
The move will also deter tauts from blocking tickets in bulk and making fraudulent bookings. Notedly, Aadhar has been made mandatory for senior citizens from April 1.
“Aadhaar number will be required for one-time registration at the IRCTC ticketing site. The step is aimed at eliminating touts from registering with fake identities,” a senior railway ministry official told PTI, adding the railways is preparing a software for the purpose.
Despite taking several steps, touts manage to block a bulk of tickets and sell them at much higher prices and this is becoming a serious problem for the railways.
To boost the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s digital transaction drive, the railways will also be installing 6,000 point-of-sale machines and 1,000 automatic ticket vending machines across the country.
PTI reported that an integrated ticketing app will also be launched by May to promote cashless transaction.
The new business plan also envisages launching of new tourist trains connecting hill stations and enhancing passenger comfort and providing pleasurable journey experience.
