Indian Railways has teamed up with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to introduce the ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative. This collaboration aims to enhance the travel experience for passengers using railway and Metro services within Delhi/NCR.
A key development in this initiative is the beta launch of DMRC QR code–based tickets, which occurred on Wednesday. This feature allows main line railway passengers to book Delhi Metro tickets directly through the IRCTC website and the Android version of the mobile application. The full-scale launch of this service is expected in the near future.
Under the new system, Metro tickets can be booked up to 120 days in advance, aligning with Indian Railways’ existing advance reservation period. This extended booking window provides passengers with greater flexibility in planning their journeys. Furthermore, DMRC tickets will remain valid for four days, offering convenience and accommodating unforeseen changes in travel plans.
Seamless integration between railway and Metro services is a cornerstone of the initiative. Passengers can now book Delhi Metro tickets simultaneously with their train tickets, whether at the source or destination stations within the Delhi/NCR region. The system also facilitates easy cancellations, enhancing user convenience and promoting digitalization in the transportation sector.
According to a joint statement by Sanjay Kumar Jain, CMD of IRCTC, and Dr. Vikas Kumar, MD of DMRC, the regular version of the IRCTC-DMRC QR Code Ticket will be launched soon following the success of the beta version. This development marks a significant step towards reducing queuing times at Metro stations and promoting a more streamlined and efficient travel experience for commuters.
A spokesperson for DMRC highlighted the initiative’s impact, noting that while currently, single journey Metro tickets are only available on the day of travel with same-day validity, the new facility will synchronize DMRC-IRCTC QR code-based tickets with Indian Railways’ Advance Reservation Period (ARP). This synchronization will enable passengers to plan and book Metro tickets up to 120 days in advance, thereby enhancing convenience and accessibility for commuters.
