Vans to sell train tickets near malls

Mobile ticketing vans will be soon spotted near shopping malls and busy markets as Indian Railways is all set to launch the facility in the country.

In its bid to deliver train tickets at doorsteps, railways will introduce 50 mobile vans with ticketing facility.

The vans, up-linked to satellite, would be issuing train tickets in reserved and unreserved categories, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

"The aim is to reach out to rural and remote corners of the country and the trial is going on," he said.

Termed as 'Mushkil Aasaan' scheme, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced in the rail budget to introduce mobile ticketing vans for issuing tickets in cities and villages.

Poor people who are unable to go to the stations can now purchase tickets in market places and other busy places, Mamata had said in her budget speech.

"Recently we had opened a ticket counter at Pragati Maidan during the trade fare and the response was tremendous. So, we are planning to station vans near busy malls to reach out to people," the official said.