E-Tickets bought through IRCTC would not be costlier as the Indian Railways have decided to restore the service fee charges. For the uninitiated, the government withdrew service charges almost three years ago in order to promote digital payments in the country.
Reportedly, the Railway Board has given its approval to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to restore the service charges. Passenger booking tickets online will now have to pay more now.
As per an agency report that cited a Railway Board letter dated August 3 said that railway ticketing and tourism arm, IRCTC had made a detailed case for the restoration of service charge on booking of e-tickets and the matter has been examined by the competent authority.
The letter said, “In view of the advice given by the Ministry of Finance, the competent authority has decided that IRCTC may take a suitable decision on the imposition/restoration of convenience fee/service charges and the quantum to be levied.”
According to officials, after service charges were discontinued, IRCTC witnessed a 26 percent drop in internet ticketing revenue in the financial year 2016-17.
