Ministry of Railways has decided to permit Short Messaging Service (SMS) sent by its PSU, Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) containing vital details of passengers, on par with the Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS).

According to an official release issued in New Delhi , the SMS sent by IRCTC will contain all vital ticket details like PNR, train number, date of journey, class, name and number of passengers, coach and seat number and fare paid.

It will also accommodate the maximum number of passengers booked on the e-ticket.

The authorized SMS containing all vital details when displayed through laptop, palmtop or mobile phone combined with valid photo-id in original shall be treated on par with the ERS.

The SMS will also have to be displayed during the course of On-board or Off-board checking. The release added that if the passenger fails to produce this SMS due to any eventuality but has the prescribed proof of identity, a penalty of Rs 50 per ticket will be levied.