IRCTC introduces e-bedroll facility

Daisy

Patna :With the online ticket booking registering tremendous increase in the current fiscal, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has now introduced e-bedroll facility for passengers during journey. Under the new plan, passengers can place order for bedrolls online on the IRCTC website while booking their journey tickets.
The IRCTC has introduced this facility on a trial basis at four stations namely New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai and at Mumbai Central. Passengers can thus avail this facility by paying Rs 140 for two bedsheets with a pillow and Rs 110 for a blanket. These linens can be purchased together at a cost of Rs 250 or it can be purchased separately, IRCTC Chairman cum Managing Director ( MD ) A K Manocha said adding the greatest advantage of the scheme is that the bedroll is a ‘ take away ‘ home facility for passengers after completion of journey.
Manocha said the bedrolls are at present provided in AC class only in the trains. But there is an arrangement for sleeper class passengers also to get a ‘ take away’ bedroll kit at highly concessional price. Passengers travelling in air conditioned class can also buy a fresh bedroll if they opt for this service, he said adding this bedroll kit can be booked on e- ticketing site of IRCTC. Passenger can also purchase them from the IRCTC’s vending units at these stations, he said.
According to sources, railways is implementing this passenger friendly facility on the basis of a survey recently conducted among railway passengers across the country. Thus IRCTC will expand this facility at more stations including major stations like Patna Junction, Gaya , Mughalsarai and Dhanbad falling under East Central Railways ( ECR) , sources said .
IRCTC has the credit of introducing first e-catering facility which has significantly expanded the catering choices for travelling passengers. The e-bedroll facility will also further upscale IRCTC initiative to further improve passenger amenities, sources said.