- The new helpline number ‘139’ will take over all the existing helpline numbers (except 182),
Bhubaneswar: Railways have taken a major step aimed for passenger convenience in the New Year by introducing a single three-digit helpline number for making all inquiries and lodging grievances during travel.
The new helpline number ‘139’ will take over all the existing helpline numbers (except 182), making it easy for the passengers to remember this number and connect with the Railways.
Introduction of 139 to provide integrated services to consumers of Indian railways has led to discontinuation of following helpline numbers 138, 1072, 9717630982, 58888/138, 152210, 1800111321 that were dedicated to specific needs.
The integrated helpline number 139 will be available in twelve languages and based on IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System). There is no need for a smart phone to call on 139, thus, providing easy access to all mobile users.
The Union Government claims the integrated service will help in quick grievance redressal and enquiry during the journey on the Railways.
Anybody dialing 139 will be presented with a menu of options to choose from by the IVRS governing the helpline.
For security & medical assistance, passengers will be requested to press 1, which will connect them immediately to a call center executive.
For enquiry, passengers have to press 2 and in the sub-menu which will take them to the sub-menu where they can choose if their query is related to PNR status, arrival/departure of the train, accommodation, fares, ticket booking, system ticket cancellation, wake up alarm facility/destination alert, wheelchair booking, meal booking, etc.
For catering complaints, passengers have to press 3 and press 4 for general complaints. By pressing 5 passengers will be able to lodge a vigilance related complaint. Number 6 of the IVR menu is meant for inquiries during an accident. Status of all Railways consumer complaints can be obtained by pressing 9 and for directly speaking to call centre executive, passengers need to press *.
