Railway ministry mandates online booking for goods transport starting November 1

The Ministry of Railways has mandated online registration for goods transit with the national transporter as part of its efforts to digitise its records. The new policies will go into force on November 1. According to a statement released by the ministry, the decision was made with the goal of achieving digitalisation, minimising rolling stock detention, and expediting freight business processes.

The new policy will replace the current practice of approaching goods clerks to register demand for wagons, and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and Freight Operations Information Systems will make the necessary improvements to the digital infrastructure (FOIS).

According to an official, the need for physical registration and verification at the time of booking and loading causes rake loading delays in high-demand areas. Once operational, these techniques can contribute marginally to national transporters' efforts to reduce wagon turnaround time.

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