Indian Railways has taken a significant step towards modernizing its ticketing system by collaborating with Chaincode Consulting to issue NFT-based tickets for the upcoming MahaKumbh Mela festival, utilizing the Polygon blockchain to enhance scalability and efficiency.
This groundbreaking initiative will see the issuance of non-fungible token (NFT) tickets to all attendees traveling to the MahaKumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival that occurs once every 144 years.
Announced on January 13, this partnership aims to digitize and streamline the travel experience for millions making their spiritual journey to this significant event.
Why Polygon?
The choice of the Polygon blockchain is strategic, chosen for its high throughput and low transaction costs, which promote scalability and environmental sustainability. The NFTs will be available through NFTtrace, a platform known for its real-world asset (RWA) traceability and management capabilities.
Approximately 1.2 million train tickets are booked daily on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) platform. The introduction of NFT tickets is a technological leap and a move to attract global participation in the festival.
Expanding Use of Public Blockchains
Aishwary Gupta from Polygon Labs highlighted the broader implications of using public blockchains like Polygon in government operations, noting their effectiveness in eliminating intermediaries.
This project is part of a more significant trend where India’s state and central governments increasingly rely on blockchain technology for its transparency and efficiency.