Paytm has been aggressively expanding it’s reach over past year or so, be it offline or online. Initially, Paytm started with mobile recharges and bill payments followed by enabling payments on various online services. However, in recent times they have been pushing wallet payments in offline arena, enabling even a Kirana store or a Auto rickshaw owner to collect payments from customers.
Last week Paytm had announced that have made native integration of their payment gateway to IRCTC’s app opening it millions of users booking tickets on IRCTC app.
Now, they have gone one step ahead and introduced IRCTC Train ticket bookings on Paytm’s mobile app and website. Going forward, Paytm users can book Check their PNR number, search for trains and book train tickets. However, after the user has booked the train tickets on Paytm platform, they will need to still need to go to IRCTC website to complete the booking, as part of standard ticket booking process. The user will need to and IRCTC account and password to complete the booking.
Paytm Travel Offerings
With introduction of Train Ticket bookings, Paytm wants to become country’s largest online travel booking destination. They already offer Air tickets and Bus bookings on their platform.
The company claims they have witnessed exponential growth in its Travel Marketplace. Their bus tickets business recently turned break-even while the Hotels booking category is expected to start generating profits very soon. The Flights booking service on Paytm has been growing at 4x rate month-on- month since its launch in May.
Speaking on the partnership, Abhishek Rajan, Vice President, Paytm said, “At Paytm, our endeavor is to solve for every need of a traveller. Our alliance with IRCTC is a major leap as it completes the spectrum of air, road and rail ticket booking solutions available on Paytm. This is a significant milestone in our efforts to build India’s largest travel marketplace.”
The Indian travel market has seen exponential growth over the past many years. The Indian travel market is estimated to be worth $40 billion by 2020, according to an IBEF study.
Doesn’t make a sense with IRCTC integration in Paytm as there will be an added step ( to auth the booking in IRCTC website. Anyways if i have to go to IRCTC website, why would i book ticket on Paytm. Instead use the Paytm account if i want to pay thru the wallet ). The IRCTC is now fast plus it has good Android app for booking tickets.