Indian Railways to Gradually Close PRS Ticket Booking Counters at Several Small Stations in West Bengalj

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 Indian Railways to Gradually Close PRS     Ticket Booking Counters at Several Small Stations in West Bengal

By GDN News 365 | June 28, 2026

In a major move towards digital transformation, Indian Railways has decided to gradually shut down Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at several low-footfall railway stations under the Eastern Railway and South Eastern Railway zones in West Bengal. The decision comes as more passengers are choosing online ticket booking platforms, resulting in a significant decline in the number of people using computerized reservation counters.

The Railway administration has stated that maintaining PRS counters at stations where only a handful of tickets are booked every day has become financially and operationally inefficient. Instead, the Railways plans to strengthen digital services while ensuring that passengers still have access to reservation facilities through nearby stations and online platforms.

Why Are PRS Counters Being Closed?

Over the last few years, India's railway reservation system has undergone a dramatic transformation. With the rapid growth of smartphone usage, affordable internet access, and digital payment methods, passengers are increasingly booking tickets through the official IRCTC website and mobile application.

Railway officials say that many PRS counters at smaller stations now witness very low customer turnout. In some cases, only a few reservation tickets are issued daily, making it difficult to justify the cost of maintaining staff, computers, electricity, and other operational expenses.

The closure of these counters is part of Indian Railways' broader strategy to optimize resources while promoting digital ticketing services.

Stations Likely to Be Affected

The decision mainly impacts small railway stations under:

Eastern Railway (ER)

South Eastern Railway (SER)

These are stations where reservation ticket demand has fallen considerably over the years.

Railway authorities are expected to implement the closure process in phases after reviewing passenger traffic and ticket booking statistics. Major stations and busy reservation centers will continue operating normally.

Online Ticket Booking Becoming the Preferred Choice

The popularity of online reservation has increased rapidly due to several advantages:

Book tickets anytime from anywhere.

Instant payment through UPI, debit cards, credit cards, and net banking.

Easy cancellation and refund process.

Real-time seat availability.

SMS and e-ticket facilities without visiting the station.

The convenience of digital booking has reduced dependence on physical reservation counters, especially among younger passengers and frequent travelers.

Impact on Passengers

For passengers who are comfortable using smartphones or computers, the change is unlikely to create major difficulties.

However, some sections of society may face challenges, including:

Senior citizens.

Rural passengers with limited internet access.

People unfamiliar with online booking.

Those without smartphones or digital payment facilities.

To address these concerns, Railway officials have indicated that passengers can still book reserved tickets from nearby larger stations where PRS counters will remain operational.

Will Unreserved Ticket Counters Continue?

It is important to note that this decision primarily concerns Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters used for booking reserved tickets.

Counters for unreserved tickets (UTS), platform tickets, and other station services are expected to continue functioning according to local passenger requirements.

Railways Focusing on Digital India

The move aligns with the Government of India's Digital India initiative, encouraging citizens to use online public services.

Indian Railways has invested heavily in improving digital infrastructure, including:

Faster online booking systems.

Mobile ticketing applications.

Digital payment integration.

Automated customer support.

QR code-based ticket verification.

These improvements aim to provide a smoother travel experience while reducing operational costs.

Mixed Public Response

The decision has generated mixed reactions among passengers.

Many regular travelers have welcomed the move, saying that online booking is faster and more convenient than standing in long queues.

However, others believe reservation counters should continue operating in rural areas where internet connectivity remains inconsistent and many passengers are not comfortable with digital technology.

Several passenger associations have requested the Railways to ensure that adequate alternative booking facilities remain available before permanently closing any reservation counter.

What Passengers Should Do

Passengers are encouraged to:

Learn to use the official IRCTC website or mobile app.

Keep digital payment methods ready for online booking.

Visit the nearest major reservation center if online booking is not possible.

Check official Railway announcements regarding changes at their local station.

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