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Indian Railways is gearing up for a major technological leap that promises to transform the passenger experience across the country. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Railways has announced a complete overhaul of its Passenger Reservation System (PRS), aiming to boost its ticketing capacity from 25,000 to over 1 lakh tickets per minute. The upgrade, led by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), is designed to meet the growing demand for faster, more reliable, and scalable booking infrastructure.
The revamped system will be powered by cloud-compatible technologies and modern hardware, replacing the legacy Itanium servers and Open VMS platform that have been in use since 2010. This initiative is part of a broader modernization strategy that includes mobile ticketing, reduced reservation windows, and expanded coach availability.
Key Highlights Of The PRS Upgrade
- New system will process over 1 lakh tickets per minute, up from the current 25,000
- Complete replacement of outdated hardware, software, network equipment, and security infrastructure
- Transition to cloud-compliant architecture for scalability and flexibility
- Enhanced functionalities to support future features and passenger demands
- Project executed by CRIS under the supervision of the Ministry of Railways
Why The Upgrade Is Crucial
The existing PRS was designed for a different era of travel, with limited digital integration and slower processing speeds. Over the years, passenger expectations have evolved, with a sharp rise in mobile bookings, real-time updates, and demand for seamless service. The new system aims to:
- Eliminate booking bottlenecks during peak hours and festival seasons
- Reduce transaction failures and improve user experience across platforms
- Enable faster query resolution and real-time ticketing updates
- Support integration with mobile apps and third-party platforms
- Future-proof the reservation system for upcoming AI and data-driven features
Advance Reservation Period Revised
In a related move, the Ministry has reduced the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for select trains from 120 days to 60 days, effective 1 November 2024. This change is based on booking trends and aims to:
- Minimize cancellations due to unforeseen events
- Align ticketing timelines with actual travel planning behavior
- Improve seat availability and optimize train occupancy
RailOne App Brings PRS To Your Palm
To complement the system upgrade, Indian Railways has launched the RailOne mobile app, allowing passengers to book both reserved and unreserved tickets directly from their smartphones. The app is expected to:
- Reduce dependency on ticket counters and desktop access
- Offer a user-friendly interface for faster transactions
- Provide real-time updates on seat availability and train schedules
- Enhance accessibility for passengers in remote and underserved regions
Focus On Affordable Travel: Non-AC Coach Expansion
Recognizing the demand for budget-friendly travel, Indian Railways is also expanding its fleet of non-AC general and sleeper coaches. Currently, 70 percent of train coaches are non-AC, and a special manufacturing program is underway to produce 17,000 additional units over the next five years. In the financial year 2024–25 alone, 1,250 general coaches were added to long-distance trains.
This expansion aims to:
- Improve travel options for economically weaker sections
- Enhance capacity on high-demand routes
- Reduce overcrowding and improve safety in general compartments
A Step Toward Smarter, Scalable Rail Travel
The PRS upgrade is more than a technical enhancement—it’s a strategic shift toward smarter, scalable, and inclusive rail travel. By quadrupling ticketing speed and integrating mobile-first solutions, Indian Railways is positioning itself to meet the mobility needs of a billion-plus population with efficiency and foresight.
Sources: MSN India, Mathrubhumi, Telangana Today.
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