Star News Agency

New Delhi. As announced by the Minister of Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee, in her speech while presenting the Railway Budget 2009-10 in the Parliament, the first ever mobile ticketing van ‘Mushkil Aasaan’ for issuing reserved and unreserved train tickets in the capital, New Delhi, was launched by the Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit today. Also present on the occasion among others was the Ministers of State for Railways, Shri K.H.Muniyappa. Smt. Sheila Dikshit also flagged off 2248/2247 H.Nizamuddin-Bandra Terminus “Yuva Express Super Fast train” from H.Nizamuddin station on the occasion. ‘The “Mushkil Aassan” mobile van has been introduced with the idea of taking the issuance of computerized tickets both reserved and un-reserved to the grass roots and it will work from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm at different locations from Monday to Saturday, while Sunday will be utilized for its maintenance. The cost of the ticket will be the same as that of tickets purchased from the usual Passenger Reservation System counters.

Earlier, Kumari Mamata Banerjee launched the mobile ticketing van ‘Mushkil Aasaan’ as a pilot project on 8th January 2010 in Kolkata. The mobile ticketing vans ‘Mushkil Aasaan’ for issuing reserved and unreserved tickets are being introduced in both urban and rural areas so that poor people who are unable to go to the stations can now purchase tickets in market places, mohalls and other busy places.

The new low-cost air-conditioned ‘Yuva’ trains with seated accommodation, are dedicated specially for the young generation and passengers of low-income groups. These trains will run with a fare ranging from as low as Rs. 80/- for first 100 km & Rs 299 up to 1500 km and maximum of Rs 399 up to 2500 km. At present these trains are proposed to run as a weekly service on pilot project basis between Mumbai- Delhi and New Delhi -Kolkata. The first train of this group was flagged off from Howrah to New Delhi by the Minister for Railways, Kumari Mamata Banerjee on 30th December, 2009. These trains will reserve 60 per cent accommodation for the youth and passengers of low income group, while the remaining accommodation will be available to all other passengers. To avail this Yuva facility the youth has to carry the necessary documents as proof of birth and unemployment. For the general passenger normal fare of travel will be charged. ‘Yuva’ trains are targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country. The objective is to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between major cities.