Dec 15, 2015, New Delhi: Modern technology is making train travel easy through a variety of services like ascertaining PNR status. This service is provided by even private companies like travelkhana.com

Top executives of the company revealed this at a recent press meet organized in the city. They threw light on all the public and private services available for ascertaining PNR status.

Indian Railways is still the favourite means of travel in Indi, because of its comfort, wide connectivity and less cost of travel.

But, in the past, travellers had to suffer much inconvenience in booking tickets and ascertaining the status of their booking, for which they had to queue up in stations or avail of costly services of agents.

“All such inconveniences of train travel have been wiped out, thanks to the advent of modern technology. Today, you can avail of all services of railways either by getting online or through your mobile phones, “said an executive.

PNR number refers to Passenger Name Record, a unique number assigned to all who book tickets by Indian Railways. It is a 10-digit number printed usually on the left corner of a ticket and is the reference point of the train journey of a passenger.

PNR status indicates whether your ticket is Confirmed, assigned to RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) or Waitlisted. Confirmed means you have been allocated a berth for sure while RAC means you have the chance of getting a berth against cancellation by confirmed tickets, and you can board the train. But Waitlisted means you cannot board the train till sufficient tickets have been cancelled enough to accommodate you.

“Since there is a big rush for berths, it is vital that you ascertain PNR status till the charts are prepared. This will determine whether you have a comfortable journey,” said an executive.

PNR status can today be ascertained by online means or via mobile phones. One simple way of checking online is through logging on to TravelKhana website. One must key in PNR number and click on “Get status of PNR” button. You can use this facility no matter how you booked tickets.

There are numerous ways to use mobile phones to check PNR status. They are an easy and efficient method to check PNR.

Here is a simple method: Select ‘live services’ on your mobile. Click on ‘Travel and Utilities.’ Click on Railways, click on PNR status, Enter PNR number and click OK and you will get latest PNR status.

There are also service numbers to get PNR status. All you need to do is key in 10-digit PNR number in your mobile and text it to any of the service numbers. You will get a message indicating PNR status. Point to be noted is that this service may not always be free.

Another way to get PNR status is through sophisticated mobile apps. These include IRCTC apps or Android apps. Such apps can be downloaded if supported by your mobile phones. They can be then used to check PNR status. But you need a net connection to make it work.

If you don’t have net access, there are other facilities. The Railways has provided the number 139, which connects you to an IVR that directs you to an enquiry system. This service is free for BSNL and MTNL users. But other mobile services may apply a toll. Additional numbers, which offer this service, are 5676747 and 57886.

Users of Android Smartphone can use TravelKhana mobile application to check PNR status. You must have Wi-Fi or 3G service. TravelKhana also offers you a very enjoyable e-catering service where you can enjoy fresh and tasty meals delivered to you at your seat and stations of your choice.

About The Company: TravelKhana.com is an e-catering service that caters to passengers of Indian Railways. It also offers other important services to passengers like booking tickets and checking PNR status.