Mysore, a major tourist centre, joined the selected band of cities in India with the launching of online rail booking facility. The Indian Railway Catering Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which began offering the facility from July 29, will deliver the tickets booked
online at the customer's door step. Mysore has become the third city to offer online internet rail booking facility after Bangalore and Mangalore cities.

The online booking facility was launched on July 29 by the Divisional Railway Manager, Ms. Usha Mathur.

Mr. C. Sriram, IRCTC General Manager, said credit card holders can book tickets on any train, any class, from any station to any other station, at the click of a mouse, using their credit card for payment. The purchase of the ticket has to be done three days in
advance from the date of journey. The ticket so purchased will be delivered to the passenger within three days at his place through courier service. He has to specify the place at which the ticket has to be delivered. Apart from the fare, the passenger has to
pay an extra service charge of Rs. 60 for first class and Rs. 40 for second class travel. Mysoreans, who book tickets online, may call 24423820 to know the status of tickets between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Reservation can be done from anywhere.

However, for cancellation of such tickets, the passenger has to approach any of the passenger reservation system, a reservation counter in the railway station.

The passenger willing to purchase ticket online has to log on the website, www.irctc.co.in and select the train from the list made available. The website provides details of routes and train timings, availability of seats/berths, and fare. An individual
has to register with the website and the registration is free of cost. It is proposed to extend online reservation facility to other important stations in Mysore Division of the Southern Railway.

The IRCTC, which is a wing of the Indian Railways, will regularly send e-mail alerts to the registered passengers. It is presently offering its services like upgrading, professionalizing and managing catering and hospitality in over 7,000 stations in the
country, including Mysore, and on trains. It has over 3.5 lakh registered users. It is also promoting domestic tourism by developing budget hotels and special tour packages. On such hotel is expected to come in Bangalore soon.