Northern Railways, the most northern zone of the Indian Railways, has introduced Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS), a mobile-based app to issue general and platform tickets.

The service, launched for the railway passengers of Ferozepur Division, is expected to eliminate the need to queue for long periods to procure general tickets from station counters, thereby providing major relief to the passengers.

Indian Railways unit the Central Railway Information System (CRIS) has carried out the technical process for this e-ticketing system, reported the Times of India.

“Finally, the service of providing general, as well platform tickets through the mobile-based app has commenced for passengers in the Ferozepur Division.”

Ferozepur Division senior divisional commercial manager Monu Luthra told the Times: “Finally, the service of providing general, as well platform tickets through the mobile-based app has commenced for passengers in the Ferozepur Division.”

The app was tested by railway officials and is said to be working without error. It accepts payments through credit cards, debit cards and other mobile-based wallets.

Northern Railways is planning to deploy hoardings and advertisements at various stations to raise awareness among passengers for the app.

The app can also be used to buy unreserved tickets, and requires customers to maintain a minimum distance of 70m and a maximum of 5km to ensure the app functions smoothly.

In another development, Indian Railways has started testing the deployment of a new technology in long distance trains to prevent theft of passenger belongings.

Alongside deploying CCTVs in the train coaches, the Railway Protection Force officials will be equipped with body cameras, reported the Financial Express.

These body cameras will enable real-time monitoring of the trains, as well as stations.