Can I Book Platform Ticket from IRCTC?

Are you planning to visit the railway station to drop off or pick up someone but you are not willing to board the train? In such cases, platform tickets come in handy. A platform ticket is a ticket that permits entry into the railway station platforms without boarding a train. But, can you book platform tickets from IRCTC? Let’s find out.What is IRCTC?IRCTC stands for Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. It is a subsidiary of Indian Railways that manages the online ticketing operations, catering, and tourism on behalf of Indian Railways. The IRCTC website is a one-stop-shop for booking train tickets, checking PNR status, cancelling tickets, and much more.What is a platform ticket?A platform ticket is a ticket that permits entry into the railway station platforms without boarding a train. It is usually valid for two hours and is priced differently across various railway stations. It is often used by people who are dropping off or picking up their friends, family members, or loved ones from the railway station.Can I book platform ticket from IRCTC?The answer is both yes and no. Yes, you can book a platform ticket from the IRCTC website or mobile application, but only for a few selected stations. The platform tickets are available for purchase on the IRCTC website and mobile app under the “Book Meal” option.However, not all stations have this facility. Currently, only a handful of railway stations offer the option to book a platform ticket through the IRCTC website. Some of the popular railway stations where you can book a platform ticket through IRCTC are New Delhi, Mumbai Central, Ahmedabad, Chennai Central, and Hyderabad.How to book a platform ticket from IRCTC?If you are visiting one of the selected railway stations where IRCTC offers the facility to book platform tickets, you can follow the below steps to book a platform ticket:1. Visit the IRCTC website or mobile application and log in to your account.2. Click on the “Book Meal” option on the homepage.3. Select the station from the drop-down menu.4. Choose the date of travel.5. Select the number of platform tickets you want to purchase.6. Make the payment using your preferred payment method.Once the payment is successful, you will receive an email and SMS confirmation with the details of your platform ticket.Can I book a platform ticket offline?Yes, you can book a platform ticket offline from the ticket counter at the railway station. At the ticket counter, you need to request for a platform ticket and pay the applicable charges.What is the cost of a platform ticket?The cost of a platform ticket varies from station to station. In general, it can cost anywhere between Rs. 10 to Rs. 50. The cost of a platform ticket for premium railway stations may be higher than other stations.ConclusionIn conclusion, while IRCTC offers the facility to book platform tickets online, it is only available for a selected few railway stations. If you are dropping off or picking up someone from a railway station where the online booking of a platform ticket is not available, you can purchase the ticket from the ticket counter. The cost of the ticket varies from station to station and is valid for a maximum of two hours. Always carry a valid platform ticket while entering the railway station to avoid any inconvenience or penalty.