With revenue from parcel traffic expected to cross Rs 1000 crore, a record growth in the Covid year, Indian Railways Parcel Management System (PMS) will be extended to 523 locations across the country.

The railways parcel services are being geared towards providing transportation for small consignments over a vast network of stations across the country.

Small businesses and traders, especially in smaller cities and towns, have been using these services for transporting their merchandise from bigger cities and production centres to their business places in a fast, reliable and cheap manner.

According to the railways, parcel management system has been modernised with barcoding provided on each consignment for tracking purposes.

The upgraded system offers status updates of packages through GPRS network transmission of data from hand-held mobile devices through scanning of barcodes.

The computerisation of the parcel management system is being extended from 84 locations to an additional 143 locations in phase-II and 523 locations in phase–III with enhanced features.

Common man also uses these services for transportation of household goods, furniture, two-wheeler etc.

The railways maintains that the charges are based on weight and volume, and not on the type of commodity. A provision of 120 days advance booking of parcel space has been enabled in PMS.

SMS to customers (sender and receiver) at each stage from parcel booking, loading, unloading to delivery on registered mobile is sent at the time of booking.

Since the booking of parcel/luggage is carried out at parcel office at stations through computerized counters and automatic capturing of weight through electronic weighing of consignment, it benefits ordinary public and businesses alike.

In order to further modernise/revamp of PMS, QCI has been engaged to study the system and to suggest further improvements based on the customer feedback and the latest trends in this sector.