Bhubaneswar: A recent innovation from IIT Bhubaneswar has led to the development of “Simply Swap”—a mobile and web application designed to simplify train travel in India by facilitating seat swaps among passengers.
The app was developed by a team from IIT Bhubaneswar comprising students Rustam Kumar and Sangam Mishra, along with faculty members Dr. Srikant Gollapudi and Dr. Srinivas Pinisetty.
Often, train passengers traveling as a family or group face the inconvenience of having reserved seats in different coaches.
Traditionally, such travelers attempt to swap seats by making direct requests to fellow passengers, but these efforts frequently yield limited success.
Drawing from his own personal experience with seat swapping difficulties, Dr. Srikant Gollapudi conceptualized an app that would make the process effortless for passengers.
The application, developed by Rustam and Sangam under the guidance of Dr. Srikant and Dr. Srinivas, enables registered users to post seat swap requests by entering their current seat details, desired seat or coach, and train information.
Other users on the same train with confirmed reservations can view these requests and choose to accept a swap if it meets their preferences.
Once a match is found, the app facilitates the swap, eliminating the need for manual coordination and reducing travel-related stress.
The IIT Bhubaneswar team believes that Simply Swap could significantly enhance passenger convenience and satisfaction, especially if integrated with Indian Railways’ services.
This innovative solution aligns with the broader vision of leveraging technology to improve the travel experience. The team is currently in discussions with start-ups and venture capitalists for commercialization and has received strong interest.
As technology continues to shape the future of transportation, innovations like Simply Swap reaffirm IIT Bhubaneswar’s commitment to practical solutions that enhance everyday experiences.
