Indian Railways is likely to put in place a system in which Aadhaar will be mandatory for booking tickets online, according to reports.

Railways could introduce Aadhaar-based ticketing system to stop touts from booking tickets in bulk, end fraudulent bookings and prevent cases of impersonation.

PTI reported that an integrated ticketing app will also be launched by May to promote cashless transaction.

"Aadhaar number will be required for one-time registration at the IRCTC ticketing site. The step is aimed at eliminating touts from registering with fake identities," PTI quoted a senior Railway Ministry official as saying.

This is not the first time when Railways is mulling over Aadhar-based system. Last year in December, Indian Railways made Aadhaar number mandatory for senior citizens to avail concessions in train tickets.

While making Aadhaar verification mandatory for senior citizens, IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director Dr A K Manocha said: "The linking of Aadhaar cards with train tickets for senior citizens is a salutary measure designed to streamline the reservation process for people in such a category."

In future, all ticket bookings will require Aadhar card, Manocha had hinted.

Speaking on how it will streamline online booking system, he said: "It will bring in transparency in rail ticket reservations for senior citizens, making the verification process easy and convenient. It will also prevent misuse of such a facility as ticket collectors can instantly verify the claims of passengers. Our objective is to ensure that only bona fide passengers with legitimate tickets travel in trains and thereby prevent revenue losses to Indian Railways."

For first 3 months, the requirement of Aadhar was on a voluntary basis. However, from April 1, 2017, it will be mandatory.