In line with global standards, Rlys starts parcel management system on Delhi-Mumbai corridor

The computerized procedure has been initiated at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra Terminus and Surat. It will soon be commissioned at Vapi and Valsad as well. With work of installing the system in Ratlam, Baroda and Kota near completion, the Delhi-Mumbai corridor will become the second rail sector to have the electronic monitoring and management of parcels on Indian Railways. It was first introduced at the New Delhi Parcel office on November 1, 2006 and implemented along the Delhi-Howrah sector.

Presently, Mumbai Central, Dadar and Bandra Terminus together send an average of 12, 180 packages weighing 2, 383 quintals everyday, earning a total of Rs.14.75lakh. the three termini receive an average of 10, 290 packages weighing 2, 812 quintals everyday. Dubbed PMS, the electronic verification of parcel weight and registration of the package on a central server will allow the administration to bring in more transparency in the system and soon enable online tracking of packages by customers on their mobile phones or email through a 10-digit unique Progressive Reference Record (PRR) number — a system similar to those offered by online shopping websites.

According to senior railway officers the system will weed out corruption as well as overloading of packages. Overloading or delivery of parcel at a wrong station presently ails the parcel carriage of Indian Railways. Prior to the new system, WR was using the manual system to record the weight of parcels for booking.

“With railway staff manually registering booking and receiving parcels, the customer was at his mercy since the priority of delivery of parcels was decided by the staff. Now, a message will immediately be sent to the customer as soon as the parcel is booked,” said a senior railway officer, requesting anonymity.

With past reports on overcharging, Divisional Railway Manager, Shailendra Kumar, said, “A customer will not be overcharged as he or she will be able to see the exact weight of the parcel and pay accordingly. It will help in curbing malpractices and complaints in parcel booking.”

priyal.dave@expressindia.com