New Delhi: The Centralised Enquiry Service on single enquiry number, 139 is operated on Public Private Partnership basis. The entire cost of infrastructure and operation of this service is borne by the franchise out of revenue from call charges. The passengers are being charged the telephone call/Short Messaging Service (SMS) by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)
The following call charges are applicable for calls on 139:- Landline: Rs. 1.20 for a pulse of 180 seconds for calls from Metros cities while from non-metro cities, Rs. 1.20 for a pulse of 60 seconds is charged. Mobile: Rs 1.20 for a pulse of 60 seconds for calls from metro cities and Rs. 2.00 for a pulse of 60 seconds for calls from non-metro cities.
SMS: Rs. 3.00 per SMS
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The call charges for 139 services are fixed in terms of the agreement between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and the franchisee which was fianlised through a process of open tender. The agreement is valid till January, 2017 and the call/SMS charges are applicable for the period of contract.
About 6.70 lakh and 2 lakh SMSs are being received on Centralised Enquiry Number 139 every day.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.