Catenaa, Sunday, January 18, 2025 – Indian Railways has announced plans to issue non-fungible token (NFT) travel tickets for the upcoming Mahakumbh Mela, a major religious and cultural gathering in India.
The initiative is part of a collaboration between the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Chaincode Consulting.
The NFT tickets will be managed using NFTrace, a digital asset platform powered by the Polygon blockchain. Mahakumbh Mela, held every 144 years, is expected to draw over 450 million visitors. Recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, the event holds significant religious and cultural importance in India.
This move aligns with Indian Railways’ broader adoption of blockchain technology. Last year, it implemented blockchain-based ticketing for the Holi Festival. While the Indian government has maintained a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, it has acknowledged blockchain’s potential to enhance public services.
The rise in NFT adoption extends beyond India. Recently, South Korea’s Jeju Island introduced NFT-powered tourist cards, offering exclusive benefits to attract millennial and Gen Z travelers.
This growing interest underscores how blockchain and NFTs are being integrated into traditional and public sectors worldwide, reflecting a shift towards modernized service delivery systems.
