Railways' super app: Tickets, food, updates, complaints in one place

The Indian Railways is set to introduce a super app by the end of December, aimed at streamlining the travel experience for millions of commuters. Developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and integrated with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), this new platform is expected to combine several services currently spread across multiple apps and websites. 

Multiple needs, multiple sites

Passengers currently use various applications for different services, including the IRCTC Rail Connect for reserved ticket bookings, IRCTC eCatering for food delivery, Rail Madad for complaints, UTS for unreserved ticketing, and the National Train Enquiry System for real-time train updates. The forthcoming super app aims to consolidate these services into a single interface, potentially enhancing convenience for users.

Different demands, single platform

With a claim of over 10 crore downloads, IRCTC remains the primary platform for reserved ticket bookings. The integration of these services into one app could strengthen IRCTC’s reach and possibly boost revenue, given that ticketing accounted for more than 30% of its earnings in the last financial year.

While CRIS is responsible for developing and maintaining the backend software of the app, IRCTC will continue to manage ticket bookings and act as the public-facing element of the new platform. This collaboration suggests a focused effort to modernise and digitise rail travel services in India.

The launch of the super app could represent a significant shift in how passengers interact with Indian Railways. If successful, it might simplify travel planning, streamline ticket bookings, and enhance customer support—all from one application. As the target launch date approaches, many commuters may be hopeful for a more accessible and user-friendly travel experience.