BHUBANESWAR: Train ticket examiners (TTEs) of the east coast railway (ECoR) will get hand held terminals (HHTs), a gadget, to update status of passenger list and berths of the major trains.These gadgets look like an iPad will be loaded with passenger reservation chart. It will be connected with passenger reservation system (PRS) through GPRS. The TTEs can update the details of ticket bookings through online method at every station where the train stops.As many as 33 HHTs have been provided to ECoR for its use in premium trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express . Now TTEs are using printed papers to check allotted berths and vacant seats. But with this technology, the process will go paperless and seamless. It will start in ECoR before the New Year, official sources said.This gadget can show real time reflection of vacant berths to passengers who are boarding train from next station. It will also result in greater availability of vacant berths to waitlisted passengers. More bookings will also result in increased railway revenue. It will give a boost to digital India initiative, said an ECoR spokesperson.After using this, onboard ticket checking staff do not require to carry printed reservation chart. Apart from this, allotment of vacant berths will be easier in a transparent way.This system has been introduced in Patna-New Delhi Rajdhani Express from Monday onwards. All the ticket checking staff of Rajdhani or Shatabdi trains originating from Bhubaneswar and Puri respectively will start using of these latest gadgets very soon.“We have received machines from Railway Board. These machines are being tested. TTEs have been given training to use these gadgets. We will introduce it within a few days,” Ajoy Behera, principal chief commercial manager of the zone.Passengers with reservation against cancellation (RAC) or waiting list ticket can check with the TTE's HHT about the availability of vacant berths. This will also bring transparency and avoid corruption in allotting berths for RAC or waiting list passengers on running trains. The HHT can also be used for collecting penalty and other charges from passengers by issuing receipts.

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