IRCTC asks Banks for implementation of OTP process in e-Ticketings

IRCTC asks Banks for implementation of OTP process in e-Ticketings

New Delhi: Concerned at the problems faced by people in online booking of railway journey tickets, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has asked banks to help ensure smooth transactions on its website. For this purpose, IRCTC has asked the banks tied up with it to take steps by August 15 so that booking tickets online could be hassle-free, said IRCTC CMD A K Manocha.

Manocha said complaints have been received about problems in getting one-time password (OTP) from banks while booking tickets online. IRCTC has tied up with 50 banks for e-ticket booking. While 24 banks have OTP facility, the rest are yet to introduce it, he said. A high-level meeting was held recently with bank officials and the problems facing passengers were discussed, he said. IRCTC has set the deadline of August 15 for the remaining banks to ensure OTP to customers.

IRCTC GM (software) M Srinivas said the e-ticketing portal has facility for transactions with 50 banks. Out of them, the arrangement with 28 banks is for net banking, for payment gateways with six, debit cards for 10, four for cash cards while one each is EMI-based and IRCTC prepaid card system. All banks tied up with IRCTC are collecting service charges for e-tickets. Most of these banks are having OTP facility for online transactions. “We need to implement OTP system by all the banks with a view to checking fraudulent transactions on the IRCTC website. Railway crime branch has also put the IRCTC on alert about fraudulent transactions,” he said.

According to sources, IRCTC is committed to maintaining transparency in its transactions with customers. Introduction of OTP system is also in consonance with RBI guidelines. Besides, this system is likely to check avoidable interventions of touts in booking online tickets on the IRCTC website.