The Indian railway has announced the launch of its new SMS based ticketing system for the passengers in the country.

Passengers will now be able to make bookings by sending sms on their mobile phones. Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge launched the SMS-based ticketing system on Friday. The service will offer benefits to those who do have access to the internet or a Smartphone to making bookings online.

"Since the mobile penetration in India has increased rapidly and more than 80 per cent people have mobile phones, this new system will be helpful in enabling the booking of tickets by masses themselves," the minister said.

The new system will also help the Indian railways in preventing touting. It will help labourers and workers who stay away from home and make bookings regularly on trains. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website now accounts for about 45 per cent of all the reservations made on the website and the sms system will attract further customers.