Indian Railways Doorstep Parcel Service is set to make sending packages easier for individuals and businesses in eight major Indian cities.
Through its new Rail Parcel App, named Ghar Se Ghar Tak, customers will be able to book parcel pickup and delivery directly from their homes or business premises.
The initial rollout will cover Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune.
The initiative combines railway transportation with private logistics partners who will manage parcel collection and final delivery.
Indian Railways Doorstep Parcel Service: How It Works
Under the proposed system, customers will book shipments through the Rail Parcel App or its website. A logistics partner will collect the parcel from the sender and take it to the designated railway parcel office.
Indian Railways will transport the consignment by train to the destination city.
After reaching the destination station, another logistics partner will handle delivery to the recipient’s address.
This arrangement will remove the need for customers to personally visit railway parcel offices to submit or collect packages. Logistics partners may also provide additional services, including packaging.
 Book Parcels Up to 15 Days in Advance
The booking facility will offer a window of up to 15 days before the scheduled train departure. Customers will also be able to book shipments as late as one day before the train leaves.
Logistics partners must hand over the parcels to railway staff at least one hour before the scheduled departure.
Customers should therefore consider the pickup schedule when selecting a train for their shipment.
The platform will support online bookings and digital payments, making the process more convenient for people who regularly send parcels between cities.
 Live Tracking, Digital Payments and PRR Number
Customers will receive a unique 10-digit Progressive Reference Record (PRR) number for every booking. This number will help them track their shipments through the digital platform.
The app is expected to provide live tracking updates and digital GST invoices. Payments can be made through options such as UPI, credit cards, debit cards and net banking.
The system will also use one-time password (OTP) verification for parcel delivery. This additional step is intended to help verify that the consignment reaches the correct recipient.
Indian Railways Parcel Cancellation and Refund Rules
The new service will also provide a refund facility for cancelled bookings, subject to specified conditions.
If a customer cancels a booking before the parcel has been picked up, the railway freight amount will be refunded after deducting a clerkage charge of Rs 10.
However, charges paid for doorstep pickup and final delivery will be governed by the respective logistics partner’s cancellation and refund policies. Customers should check these conditions before confirming a booking.
The applicable charges and refund terms are expected to be communicated during the booking process.
 Which Eight Cities Will Get the New Parcel Service?
The initial rollout of Ghar Se Ghar Tak will cover Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune.
The service follows a successful pilot run involving railway transportation and logistics partners.
The Railway Board has issued policy guidelines for the platform under Freight Marketing Circular No. 27 of 2026, dated October 26.
However, the service is not yet open for general bookings. The implementation date will be communicated to the zonal railways after the Centre for Railway Information Systems completes the required test runs.
The initiative is expected to provide another option for individuals, small businesses and online sellers who need to transport goods between major cities.
By combining train-based transportation with doorstep pickup and delivery, Indian Railways aims to expand the convenience of its parcel services.
