The Central Railway has announced new rules for booking online general (unreserved) train tickets through the RailOne app. From July 15, passengers booking general tickets online will have to provide a valid photo ID, while screenshots and WhatsApp copies of tickets will no longer be accepted during ticket checking. Passengers purchasing general tickets at railway station counters will not be required to show any identity proof during booking.
Will Passengers Have To Carry Their ID During Travel?
Passengers booking online general tickets must carry the same identity proof used while booking. Accepted documents include Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Driving Licence and other valid government-issued photo IDs.
During ticket checking, the identity proof should match the details mentioned on the digital ticket.
Are WhatsApp And Screenshot Tickets Still Valid?
Indian Railways has clarified that screenshots or WhatsApp copies of online general tickets will no longer be accepted. Passengers must show the original digital ticket inside the RailOne app during inspection. If a passenger is unable to produce the ticket in the app, they may be treated as travelling without a valid ticket and can be fined under railway rules.
How To Book An Online General Ticket?
- Passengers can follow these steps:
- Download the RailOne app from the Google Play Store.
- Log in using your registered mobile number.
- Select the Book Ticket or General Ticket option.
- Enter your journey details and destination station.
- Choose the number of passengers.
- Select the photo ID type and enter the ID number.
- Pay the ticket fare using UPI, debit card, credit card or net banking.
- Once payment is successful, the digital ticket will be available in the RailOne app.
Why Has Indian Railways Changed The Rules?
According to the Central Railway, the new system has been introduced to prevent the misuse and black marketing of general tickets. Officials said some people booked tickets online and transferred them to others, creating security concerns. By linking tickets to a passenger’s identity, Railways aims to ensure that the person booking the ticket is the one travelling.
What Did Railway Officials Say?
Prayagraj Division PRO Amit Kumar Singh said passengers booking general tickets through the RailOne app should always carry their original identity proof while travelling. If the ID shown during checking does not match the details provided during booking, action may be taken under railway rules.
