Indian Railways is all set to roll out a new online train ticket booking portal, designed specifically for Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This dedicated digital platform aims to simplify the ticket reservation process and make it more convenient for lawmakers to plan their travel.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the initiative in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 23. He stated that Indian Railways is currently developing software that will allow sitting as well as former MPs to book and cancel reserved train tickets online with ease.
“The development of software for booking reserved tickets online by sitting as well as former Parliamentarians has been taken up. This will facilitate them to book/cancel the ticket online as per their convenience,” said Vaishnaw.
The move follows a query by Congress MP MK Raghavan, who raised concerns over the absence of a dedicated booking system for Parliamentarians. The government responded positively, ensuring MPs will soon have seamless access to online reservations without needing to rely on physical ticket counters or agents.
As per current railway guidelines, MPs are entitled to travel with their spouse in First Class Air Conditioned (AC) or Executive Class coaches, from any place to any place within the Indian Railways network. Additionally, they are eligible for one complimentary AC 2-tier pass for an attendant or companion.
This step is expected to enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and reduce the dependency on manual processes within the Indian Railways system, specifically for Parliamentarians’ travel arrangements.
