The Indian Railways have introduced a new SMS service which will keep passengers updated about confirmation of berth to travel status of trains on a real-time basis. The Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) which looks after passenger ticketing, freight services, train dispatching and control, and management of railways will also manage this new SMS service. The SMS service will specifically alert the passengers if a train is running late or gets cancelled so that they get to make alternative travel arrangements. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted, “SMS service makes train journey more comfortable and enjoyable. Railways’ SMS service will alert passengers in advance about the change in their booking status, delay or cancellation of trains”. In order to avail this new SMS service a passenger will have to provide his/her mobile phone number while filling up the reservation form during booking of the ticket which can also be done online using the IRCTC website.
Information shared via this service include:
1. Pre-chart SMS alert: Five days before the journey (in case of change of reservation status).
2. SMS alert immediately after chart preparation (in case of ticket status change).
3. If a train is rescheduled by more than 20 minutes at the source.
4. In case of cancellation of a train.
5. In case of delay of more than an hour.
6. In case of delay of more than an hour.
7.In case of any diversion due to some technical issue or natural calamity.
8. In case of technical issue.
9. From Waiting List/RAC status to a confirmed seat or berth.
