The new Parcel Management System (PMS) of the Indian Railways will soon be extended from 84 locations to 523 locations under phase 3 of the PMS modernisation programme. The parcel services of Indian Railways are geared towards providing small transportation of consignments over a wide network of stations. These services are used by small businesses and traders, especially those in smaller cities and towns, for transportation of their merchandise, etc, in a fast, cheap and reliable manner from bigger cities as well as production centres to the place of their business. These services are also used by the public for transportation of household goods, two-wheelers, furniture, among others, as parcel services for these items are the only convenient mode of transportation. According to the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the charging of parcels is only based on volume and weight and not on the basis of commodity type.4th Indian Cement Review Conference 202117-18 March Click for event info Under the upgradation of the system, the computerisation of the parcel management system is being extended from 84 locations to 143 additional locations under phase 2 and 523 locations under phase 3. The Parcel Management System modernisation will bring the following enhanced features to the parcel system: Enhanced user-friendly interface will be enabled for Parcel Management System public website. In PMS, there will be a provision for 120 days of advance booking of parcel space. Displaying parcel space availability on the online e-forwarding note module on the website of PMS. Registered customers can generate forwarding notes online with fare estimates. Parcel or luggage booking at stations’ parcel office through computerised counters as well as automatic capturing of weight through the consignment’s electronic weighing. For parcel tracking, barcoding on each consignment and status updation of packages through GPRS network data transmission from handheld mobile devices through barcode scanning. SMS to customers on registered mobile given at the booking time at each stage from parcel booking, loading, unloading to delivery. Package tracking through parcel website, mobile app on Android platform for customers, new Android-based app to enable feeding of loading, unloading, and revenue data from non-PMS stations dealing with parcel traffic. Freight System Ledger Accounting (FSLA) module for online manifest preparation for registered newspapers, magazines. For the long term, short term parcel leaseholders, lease module for online manifest preparation as well as registration of leaseholders. At the time of booking, online GSTN verification of the sender through the GSTN portal. Image Source Also read: Railways capex improves after months of slide