Updated on Thursday, September 21, 2006, 00:00 IST

New Delhi, Sept 21: Internet and e-Commerce services provider Sify today entered into a tie-up with IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) to enable customers book rail tickets online against cash payment.

Earlier, e-bookings on the IRCTC site was available to customers who either had a credit card or a net banking facility, limiting the number of people who could use this facility.

Customers can access these services in about 3,400 Sify iWays (Cyber cafes) across 154 cities in India, Sify MD and CEO Raju Vegesna told reporters here.

"Initially, the online railway ticket services will be available on pilot basis at around 10 locations of Sify with cash payments. In six months, we expect the process to be fully operational in all the 3,400 locations", he said.

A person will have to pay a total surcharge of Rs 40 for online booking of a ticket (Rs 25 to sify and Rs 15 to IRCTC), and about six tickets can be booked at a time with a single payment of surcharge, Vegesna said.

IRCTC Managing Director P K Goel said, "We will target people who do not have credit cards or net banking facility, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities. With the Sify's iWays reach and network, the general masses will be able to access this online service in a convenient manner".

We expect to sell about one lakh e-tickets through this service in the next six months, he added.

Bureau Report