Going Paperless: Railways to Stop Pasting Reservation Charts on Coaches

Remember rushing to reserved coaches on platforms to check if the lengthy lists on the outside of the bogie bore your berth details on a long distance journey?

But you have to that on a few selected routes, at least for the next three months!

Before you ask us why, let us put it out there – This is the Indian Railway Ministry’s bid to save paper!

The Railways will put an end to pasting reservation charts on reserved coaches of all trains originating from selected stations, on an experimental basis for a duration of three months.

The selected stations include New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Mumbai Central, Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Chennai Central, Howrah, and Sealdah.

The Ministry issued a circular to Railway Zones to spread the word and necessary instructions to everyone concerned.

Only after strict monitoring and honest feedback for two months, will the Ministry make the final decision on scaling up the move.

The inspiration behind the move is the green initiative by South Western Railways’ Bengaluru Division (SBC). Starting November 8, 2016, SBC discontinued pasting charts on reserved coaches of all trains from Bengaluru City and Yeshwantpur Railway Stations. The move helped save over Rs 60 lakh spent on paper.

The decision was based not only due to availability of other options to confirm berth details, but also save substantial money to the national exchequer, reported The Hindu.

Read more: Railways to Make Your Durga Puja Merrier This Year, Thanks to Special Menus

SBC’s Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Sridhar Murthy spoke to the publication, shedding light on the available options to confirm one’s berth status.

In a situation where the passenger has a confirmed ticket, it bears berth numbers. For people in the waiting list, an SMS is sent stating the berth number once the ticket is confirmed. They can contact helpline number 139, to know confirmed status by sharing the PNR number.

To ease commuter woes, the SBC has also installed digital display of charts for confirmed tickets from waitlisted category at City and Yeshvantpur stations, he shares.

“The Division had been spending Rs. 21 lakh on paper and manpower on pasting charts. Also, paper can be saved contributing to the green initiative,” Mr. Murthy said.

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