Indian Railways which operates one of the largest rail networks in the world is planning an ambitious project, the super app that will encompass a set of related railway services. This has been done by Ashwini Vaishnaw who is the Minister for Railways in India. In the following section, let us take a look at what this super app means and how the concept could revolutionize rail travel.
Table of Contents
What Is the Super App and What It Is Not?
The super app that has been planned by Indian Railways’ Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw holds the potential to act as a one-stop solution for passengers as well as users of the IR. As much as the specifics as to what it entails are still to be laid out in detail, it will cover numerous realms of operations. Here are some aspects it is likely to cover:
Ticket Booking: People will be able to buy the train ticket within the application with great ease.
PNR Status: It will not be straining to check PNR, the status of the booked tickets.
Train Tracking: Train schedules such as their arrival and departure times.
Other Services: These may also include services such as food and beverage, on-board or station facilities, and other additional services.
Consequently, Davis, an analyst at RHTC, has indicated that hence the significance of the Super App in the current world where people tend to spend more time on their phones through mobile interaction.
As a passenger, there is nothing more exciting than having all your services at your fingertips through your smartphone app. Think about if one can book tickets for an entire rail transport without changing the application, or tracking the progress of the train without any hassle. It optimizes and enhances mobility and enhances the elimination of the need to switch between different applications or sites.
Indian Railways’ Progress
Minister Vaishnaw praised the developments that Indian Railways had achieved in the last ten years. Notably:
Track Laying: In 2023, they constructed more than 5300 kilometres of railway tracks; this is as big of a development as Switzerland’s rail network would be.
Safety Improvements: This has been locked in survey because the number of rail accidents has reduced tremendously. A decade ago, the number of rail accidents was 171; now it has reduced to nearly 40 each year. The indigenous developed ATP system called ‘Kavach’ implemented in 10,000 railway coaches reduces the new chances of collision/derailments.
Affordable Travel: To make railway travelling affordable for ordinary citizens, the Indian Railways have launched the Amrit Bharat trains. The fares are comparatively low; for instance, a distance of 1000 km may cost between Rs. 400 and 450.
International Interest: Currently, the Vande Bharat trains are high-speed trains of India and there has been interest even from countries like Chile among others. Ideas to export these trains are still being considered for the next versions.
Conclusion
The Railways’ super app is a giant step forward towards bringing Indian rail transport into the twenty-first century. Where, passengers will find their experience smoother, efficient and more seamlessly connected at the end of the day when it will start to roll out. Transportation of railways is one of the major changes happening all across the world and this super app vision of Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is perfectly in sync with the paradigm shift that is happening all over many sectors.
