IRCTC Outage Disrupts Tatkal Bookings, Sparks Frustration Among Passengers
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website experienced a major outage during the critical Tatkal ticket booking window at 10 AM on December 31, 2024. This disruption left passengers unable to book or cancel tickets, triggering widespread frustration, especially since this was the second such incident within a week.
Details of the Outage
The outage occurred during the highly anticipated Tatkal ticket booking period, which allows passengers to book tickets just a day before travel. Users attempting to access the platform were met with an error message stating, “Booking and cancellation for all site will not be available for next hour. Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
Outage tracking service Downdetector recorded a significant surge in issue reports, with approximately 700 users flagging problems during the disruption. Passengers expressed disappointment over their inability to secure tickets, particularly as Tatkal slots are often in high demand and get booked rapidly.
Repeat of a Recent Issue
This marks the second IRCTC outage in December, with a similar issue reported on December 26. Users expressed their growing frustration over the repeated disruptions, which have hampered their ability to plan and secure travel during the busy year-end period.
Social Media Uproar
Angry passengers took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their grievances. Several users alleged that the system might be deliberately manipulated, as only premium Tatkal tickets, which are priced significantly higher than regular ones, were available after the system was restored.
One user wrote, “Dear @IRCTCofficial, your services have consistently failed to meet expectations. Booking Tatkal tickets has been a frustrating experience, both 10 years ago and even now. It might be time to reconsider offering services that do not meet acceptable standards. @RailMinIndia.”
Another user added, “How can an essential service like IRCTC go down so often during peak booking hours? This impacts passengers deeply. Fix this, @RailMinIndia.”
Impact on Passengers
The disruption during the peak booking hour not only inconvenienced travelers but also limited their options for securing affordable tickets. Passengers found themselves forced to purchase premium Tatkal tickets, which are priced at double the standard rates.
The lack of transparency surrounding the outages has also drawn criticism. Some passengers accused IRCTC of failing to address core system vulnerabilities that lead to repeated technical issues.
Conclusion
The IRCTC outage underscores the need for robust infrastructure and better system management to handle high traffic during critical booking windows. Passengers are demanding greater accountability from the service provider and the Ministry of Railways to ensure smoother operations. As Tatkal bookings are a lifeline for last-minute travelers, addressing these issues is crucial to restoring public trust in the platform.
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