Indian Railways is planning to launch a new door-to-door parcel service called ‘Rail Parcel App – Ghar Se Ghar Tak’, making parcel booking and delivery easier for customers.
The app, being developed for Android, iOS and web platforms, will allow customers to book parcels online, make digital payments and arrange doorstep pickup and delivery through Logistics Service Providers (LSPs).
The service will initially be launched in eight cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune.
Through the app, customers can select a logistics partner, book parcel transportation, arrange packaging and storage, and track their shipments with automatic delivery updates.
Customers can book parcels up to 15 days in advance, subject to train space availability. Bookings must be made at least one day before the train’s scheduled departure.
Payments for railway transportation, pickup, doorstep delivery and additional services can be made through a single digital transaction using UPI, debit cards, credit cards and net banking.
The app will also provide digital receipts, invoices and parcel tracking facilities. OTP verification will be used during parcel collection and delivery.
Customers can cancel bookings before the parcel is picked up, with a full refund of railway freight after deduction of a ₹10 clerkage charge. However, cancellations after pickup are not permitted.
The initiative aims to make railway parcel services more convenient, improve last-mile connectivity and encourage greater use of railways for goods transportation.
The Railway Board said the implementation date will be announced after the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) completes the required test runs.