New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- Nearly 28% of India's online railway tickets are booked through third-party platforms including Paytm, according to IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director Rahul Himalian, an unusual outside read on the payments major's reach in one of the country's biggest online travel categories.

In an interview, Himalian said nearly 89% of railway tickets are now booked online through IRCTC. Of those, 53% come via the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app and 17% through its website. Government arrangements account for roughly 2%, while third-party business associates make up the remaining 28%.

"28% are through the business associates through B2C, B2B, ICS platform, whether it is MakeMyTrip, Paytm, ixigo, ConfirmTkt," Himalian said.

That...