Indian Railways targets APIs with OTAs by mid-2008

Indian Railways (IR) is looking at granting APIs (Application Programme Interface) to OTAs and other traditional travel agents, who also have parallel online distribution, by mid-2008. Through the API function, the OTA and the travel agents community with online portals will be able to sell inventory of airlines and railways through a single interface. According to Nalin Shingal, Chairman and Managing Director, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the railways is currently considering the matter and aims to start the function by mid-2008.