New Delhi, March 23 (IANS): To discourage online multiple ticket purchase by touts, the Indian Railways decided on Monday to restrict its e-ticketing service for booking only one ticket per user login session.

"The ministry of railways has decided that in case of e-ticketing, there will be a restriction of only one booking in one user login session," the railways said in a statement.

According to the railways, the e-ticketing website will automatically log-out any user who tries to book multiple tickets on a single login session.

The railways said the restriction will also apply for IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) agents but will exclude bookings made for Defence Forces under a prior warrant to do so.

"This restriction will be applicable while booking of e-ticket between 0800 and 1200 hours," the statement said.

However, the restriction will not be applicable while booking onward or return journey e-tickets.