The Indian Railways has taken a major step to make train ticket booking more transparent and passenger-friendly. In a significant move, the Railways has introduced an OTP-based ticket booking system for select trains. This new rule aims to stop illegal bookings by agents and ensure that genuine passengers get confirmed tickets without difficulty.
OTP-Based Ticket Booking Rolled Out in 300 Trains
At present, the Indian Railways has implemented the Aadhaar-linked OTP verification system for ticket booking in nearly 300 trains across the country. From now on, passengers must enter a mobile OTP to complete the booking process for these trains. Without OTP verification, ticket booking will not be possible.
Railway officials confirmed that this system became operational from Monday. The department plans to expand it gradually to cover all trains in a phased manner. The move is part of a larger effort to strengthen security and improve transparency in the reservation system.
Why Indian Railways Introduced This New Rule
For a long time, passengers have complained about tickets getting sold out within minutes of booking opening. Many agents reportedly used unfair methods to block tickets, leaving common travelers without options. To address this issue, the Railways has made OTP authentication mandatory during booking.
Officials stated that the new rule will help prevent fake bookings, bulk reservations by agents, and misuse of the system. As a result, ordinary passengers will get a fair chance to book tickets.
OTP Mandatory at Reservation Counters Too
The OTP-based verification is not limited to online booking alone. Even passengers booking tickets at railway reservation counters must share the OTP received on their registered mobile number. Only after successful verification will the ticket be issued.
This step ensures that one person cannot misuse multiple identities to book excess tickets. It also adds an extra layer of security to the entire ticketing process.
Expansion to All Trains Soon
According to railway authorities, the initial rollout in 300 trains will help assess passenger response and technical performance. Based on the feedback, the system will soon extend to all trains nationwide.
In addition, the IRCTC website now allows ticket booking only after Aadhaar verification, further strengthening the process.
With this decision, Indian Railways aims to bring fairness, safety, and efficiency to ticket booking. Passengers can expect smoother reservations and reduced agent interference in the coming days.
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