Ministry of Railways has decided to treat the screen shot i.e Virtual Reservation Message (VRM) and Mobile Reservation Message (MRM) of the e-ticket displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones for tickets booked on mobile phones combined with valid photo ID in original, as an instrument on par with the Electronics Reservation Slip even for tickets booked through the IRCTC web site. SMS sent by IRCTC/Railways containing vital details is also considered as an instrument on par with Electronics Reservation Slip (ERS).
The mandatory requirements of authorized SMS are :
·SMS sent by IRCTC/Railways
·SMS should contain details such as PNR, Train No, Date of Journey, Class of Travel, From and Destination, Name and No. of Passengers travelling, Fare, Surcharge.
·If feasible all the names of passengers, else the maximum No. of passengers.
The authorized SMS containing all the aforementioned vital details when displayed through laptops/palmtops/mobile phones combined with valid photo Id in original shall be treated as an instrument on par with the ERS.
The ERS/SMS/VRM/MRM along with Confirmed/RAC reservation, Valid ID Proof and Appearance of name of the passengers on the chart will be the components of a valid authority to travel.
The list of valid proofs of identity to be produced in original during the course of on board and off board checking are as under:-
ØVoter Photo Identity card issued by Election Commission of India
ØPassport
ØPAN Card issued by Income Tax Department
ØDriving Licence issued by RTO
ØPhoto Identity card having serial number issued by Central/State Government.
ØStudent Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/ College for their students.
ØNationalised Bank Passbook with photograph
ØCredit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph
ØUnique Identification Card "Aadhaar"
The SMS will also have to be displayed during the course of on-board/Off-board checking. If the passenger fails to produce/display this SMS due to any eventually (loss, discharge mobile/laptop, etc.) but has the prescribed proof of identity, a penalty of Rs.50/- per ticket as applicable to such cases will be levied. The ticket checking staff on Board/Off Board will issue EFT for the same.
