ATM in Train! Indian Railways to Let You Withdraw Money While Travelling

ATM in Train : In a groundbreaking move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, Indian Railways is planning to introduce ATM-like cash withdrawal facilities onboard select trains. This step is expected to revolutionize train travel in India by allowing passengers to access cash while en route, especially during long-distance journeys where access to ATMs may be limited. Let’s delve into the full details of this new initiative, how it works, and what it means for Indian commuters.

ATM in Train : Why This Move by Indian Railways is a Game-Changer

Indian Railways is constantly innovating to provide better services and facilities to its passengers. The idea to enable cash withdrawals on moving trains is a strategic step aimed at:

• Bridging the cash accessibility gap during long journeys
• Empowering rural and remote-area travelers with digital banking access
• Enhancing overall travel experience and financial flexibility

This initiative aligns with the government’s vision of digital empowerment and financial inclusion, especially for people who rely heavily on cash transactions during their travel.

How the Onboard ATM-Like System Will Work

Instead of traditional ATM machines, Indian Railways plans to use handheld Point-of-Sale (PoS) devices linked with banks and digital payment systems. Here’s how the process will function:

• Railway staff or banking partners onboard will carry certified PoS machines
• Passengers can swipe their debit cards to request cash withdrawals
• An OTP will be generated for added security
• Upon confirmation, the staff will hand over the cash equivalent

This process is already being piloted in some railway zones in collaboration with select banking partners.

Key Benefits for Passengers

This ATM-on-train concept brings numerous benefits, including:

• Convenience: Withdraw cash without getting off the train
• Security: Avoid risks of carrying large amounts of cash at boarding
• Accessibility: Especially useful in trains passing through rural or non-urban regions
• Emergency Use: Cash available in case of medical or travel emergencies

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Routes and Trains to Be Covered Initially

Initially, the service will be introduced on popular and long-distance routes where ATM access is limited. These may include:

• Rajdhani Express (select routes)
• Shatabdi Express
• Sampark Kranti trains
• Trains connecting remote states like Northeast India and tribal belts

Indian Railways will expand the service based on feedback and operational success during the pilot phase.

Table 1: Probable Routes for Pilot Implementation

Train Name	From	To	Route Type	Frequency	Expected Start Date	Banking Partner
Rajdhani Express	Delhi	Mumbai	Long-Distance	Daily	July 2025 (tentative)	State Bank of India
Shatabdi Express	Chennai	Coimbatore	Intercity	Daily	July 2025	HDFC Bank
Sampark Kranti	Bhopal	Delhi	Semi-Urban	Alternate Days	August 2025	Axis Bank
Kamakhya Express	Guwahati	Delhi	Northeast Corridor	Bi-weekly	August 2025	UCO Bank
Dibrugarh Express	Dibrugarh	Kolkata	Remote Regions	Weekly	September 2025	PNB
Humsafar Express	Lucknow	Ahmedabad	Semi-Urban/Urban	Weekly	September 2025	ICICI Bank
Howrah Mail	Howrah	Mumbai	Long-Distance	Daily	October 2025	Bank of Baroda

Limitations and Withdrawal Caps

Despite the advantages, this facility will have certain limitations to ensure security and financial discipline:

• Daily withdrawal limit: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000
• Only debit card transactions (no credit card withdrawal allowed)
• Limited cash availability per train
• OTP verification mandatory for each transaction

Table 2: Withdrawal Limits and Transaction Rules

Parameter	Details
Daily Withdrawal Limit	₹2,000 – ₹5,000
Eligible Cards	Rupay, Visa, Mastercard (Debit)
Authentication	OTP + Card Swipe
Availability	Select trains only (pilot phase)
Banking Fee (if any)	As per bank policy
Max Transactions per day	2 per passenger
Refunds for Failed Txns	3-5 working days
Complaint Redressal	Through onboard staff or helpline

How to Use the Train ATM Facility

Passengers wishing to withdraw cash during travel need to follow a simple process:

1. Ask the onboard staff about availability of the service
2. Provide your debit card and valid mobile number
3. Enter the withdrawal amount and confirm
4. Authenticate via OTP received on mobile
5. Collect your cash and confirmation slip

Future Plans and Expansion Strategy

The Railway Ministry and partner banks are treating this as a scalable innovation. If successful, the initiative may be expanded to:

• All major express trains across India
• AC coaches in tier-2 and tier-3 towns
• Integration with UPI-based withdrawal systems
• Partnerships with private banks and fintechs for better service reach

Table 3: Potential Expansion Zones and Timeline

Region	Trains to Be Covered	Tentative Timeline	Special Features Planned
South India	Kerala Express, Netravati	Dec 2025 – Jan 2026	Language-friendly PoS devices
North India	Punjab Mail, Vaishno Devi	Feb – Mar 2026	Free withdrawal for seniors
East India	Purvanchal Exp, Black Diamond	Apr – May 2026	QR code-based requests
Central India	Vindhyachal Exp, Jabalpur Exp	Jun – Jul 2026	Extra withdrawal for emergencies
West India	Gujarat Mail, Kutch Exp	Aug – Sep 2026	Real-time bank helpline support

Public Response and Pilot Success

According to early passenger feedback from the initial pilot runs, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Travelers, especially those from rural areas and senior citizens, welcomed the move citing ease of access and utility in emergencies.

Banking partners have also reported smooth processing and security compliance. The initiative is expected to get full rollout approval by the end of 2025 if successful in ongoing trials.

The introduction of onboard cash withdrawal by Indian Railways marks a historic moment in India’s transport and financial sectors. This service will not only bridge the gap between accessibility and convenience but also reflect the progressive direction in which Indian Railways is heading.

As this innovative service evolves and expands, passengers across the country can look forward to a more empowered, connected, and hassle-free journey.

This article is based on current announcements and trial implementations by Indian Railways and its banking partners. Final implementation, availability, and services may vary based on region, train type, and bank regulations. Passengers are advised to check with official railway sources for updates before traveling.