CRIS, the technological arm of Railways, is making the software for the SMS-based service.
IRCTC has already launched a system for booking tickets using mobile phones, available across various platforms, including SMS-based ticketing services. IRCTC launched its SMS-based ticketing from July, describing the step as environment-friendly as no print-out is required.
A senior IRCTC official at the time had said "mobile-based booking provides the users ease and convenience of booking tickets from anywhere and anytime. There will be no requirement of a printout because the ticketing message will be considered as valid during the journey."
As per the requirement, one has to register the mobile number with IRCTC as well as one's bank. The bank provides MMID (Mobile Money Identifier) and OTP (one time password) for authorisation of payment.
The SMS-based ticketing service is described as very simple, with a passenger required to type the train number, destination, journey date, class and passenger details like name, age and gender on the SMS box.
