Indian Railways Update: Tackling Travel Woes Amid Service Disruptions
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Indian railway services, travelers might face some hurdles. The recent decision by the railway authorities to temporarily suspend Delhi PRS services for several hours has stirred discussions and concerns among passengers. Let’s delve deeper into this issue and understand its implications.
Understanding the Suspension
What is PRS?
The acronym PRS stands for Passenger Reservation System. It’s an online ticket booking service provided by Indian Railways, facilitating both reserved and unreserved ticket bookings for train journeys.
Duration of Suspension
The suspension of Delhi PRS services is slated to last for 4.30 hours, starting from 11:45 PM on April 12th to 4:15 AM on April 13th. During this period, various services including reservations, cancellations, charting, inquiry services (both 139 and counter services), internet booking, and EDR services will remain unavailable for passengers.
Reasons Behind the Suspension
The decision to suspend PRS services stems from the need for maintenance and software upgrades within the Indian Railways infrastructure. With the railway services operating 24/7, it becomes imperative to undertake maintenance tasks, sometimes leading to temporary service disruptions.
Impact on Passengers
Prior Information
To mitigate inconvenience to passengers, railway authorities have provided prior information regarding the suspension. Chief Public Relations Officer Deepak Kumar has revealed that Delhi PRS services will be temporarily unavailable for approximately four hours during April 12th and April 13th, affecting the access to various facilities for travelers.
Alternatives for Ticket Booking
Despite the suspension, passengers can still make use of alternative methods for ticket booking. The IRCTC website and app remain functional, allowing users to log in to their accounts and proceed with ticket bookings seamlessly.
Revenue Collection Efforts
Recent Developments
Western Railway recently reported a significant increase in revenue collection efforts. From April 2023 to March 2024, experienced ticket checking teams conducted numerous ticket inspection drives, resulting in a collection of ₹173.89 crores. This effort includes revenue collection from suburban areas of Mumbai, amounting to ₹46.90 crores.
While the temporary suspension of Delhi PRS services might inconvenience passengers momentarily, it’s a necessary step for the upkeep and improvement of Indian Railways’ infrastructure. Passengers are encouraged to utilize alternative booking methods during this period to ensure a smooth travel experience.