(Image source from: Twitter.com/amofficialCRIS)
On Friday, the Ministry of Railways unveiled a new superapp called SwaRail in India. This application is designed to consolidate public-facing services, including the booking of reserved tickets, food ordering on trains, and inquiries about PNR status. Available in a beta version for both Android and iOS devices, the SwaRail superapp seeks to minimize the clutter of multiple applications by providing a single platform for managing railway-related tasks. Developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), it integrates all the public-facing applications of Indian Railways into this one comprehensive interface.
Through the SwaRail superapp, Indian users are able to reserve and purchase unreserved tickets, check on parcel and freight deliveries, monitor train locations and PNR statuses, request meals during their journeys, and reach out to 'Rail Madad' for support and queries, according to the Ministry of Railways. While the Indian Railways currently provides several distinct applications for ticket purchases and train tracking, the SwaRail superapp aims to offer a unified platform that facilitates these essential functions directly from smartphones for enhanced user convenience. Its integration is expected to yield richer informational displays.
For instance, users can find that when they check PNR statuses, relevant train details will also be presented. Furthermore, the app supports a single sign-on feature, allowing users to utilize one set of login credentials to access all services. These same credentials will work with other Indian Railways applications, including IRCTC RailConnect and UTS Mobile App. Users can log in through various methods, such as m-PIN and biometric verification. Currently, in beta testing on both Android and iOS, users are encouraged to provide feedback for potential enhancements. The SwaRail superapp will be made publicly available following a comprehensive review by the Ministry of Railways.
