We all know that Aadhaar is a unique identity number of 12 digits provided to all residents of India on the basis of their demographic and biometric data. We also know that Aadhaar card is required for many purposes as now it is linked to our bank accounts and much more. And eventually, there are few more additions where Aadhaar is going to be compulsory. Let’s have a look.
The Railways are expecting to soon shift toward Aadhaar-dependent online ticket booking system to avoid touts from jamming a majority of tickets, control events of impersonation, and end fraudulent bookings.
Aadhaar number will be made obligatory from April 1 for senior citizens to benefit from the concession in train tickets. This will be a trial run of 3 months.
According to the new business plan for 2017–18, revealed by Suresh Prabhu, Railway Minister, apart from the Aadhaar-dependent ticket booking system, the Railways will also shift toward cashless ticket booking system by introducing 1,000 automatic ticket vending machines and 6,000 point-of-sale machines throughout the country. And soon by May, they may roll out an integrated ticketing app to endorse cashless transactions.
Senior Official of Railway Ministry said, “Aadhaar number will be needed for single-time registration at the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ticketing site. The action is focused on eradicating touts from cataloging with sham identities. The Railways is also developing software for the same purpose.”
In spite of taking numerous actions, touts capture a majority of tickets and then sell the tickets at higher rates which is becoming a grave issue for the Railways.
The new business plan also foresees of introducing new tourist trains linking hill stations and improving passenger comfort and offering pleasant travel experience by enhancing catering service and amenities.
We hope the Railways succeed in their aim to curb the touts. What do you think will this system help them?
