The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website is currently experiencing a significant outage, causing frustration among users attempting to book Tatkal tickets during the crucial 10 AM booking window. Passengers trying to access the platform have encountered error messages stating, “Booking and cancellation for all site will not be available for next hour. Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
Recurring Issues with IRCTC
This outage marks the second major disruption of December, following a similar incident on December 26. Many passengers rely on the IRCTC platform for last-minute travel arrangements, particularly for Tatkal bookings, which can only be made one day before departure. The timing of this outage has left many travelers scrambling to secure their tickets for the busy holiday season.
According to Downdetector, a service that tracks online outages, there has been a sharp increase in reports of problems, with around 700 users reporting issues during the morning hours. Social media platforms have been flooded with complaints from frustrated users, some questioning the reliability of the system.
User Reactions and Complaints
Angry users took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with many accusing IRCTC of manipulating the ticketing process. Some noted that once the service was restored, only premium Tatkal tickets—priced at double the standard rates—were available.
One user tweeted, “Dear @IRCTCofficial, your services have consistently failed to meet expectations. Booking Tatkal tickets has been a frustrating experience.” Another user questioned why engineers and government officials have not found alternative solutions to these recurring issues.
Impact on Passengers
The outage has created significant challenges for passengers trying to book tickets under the Tatkal Scheme, which allows for quick reservations. The booking window for non-AC classes opens at 11 AM and for AC classes at 10 AM, making these critical times for travelers.
The repeated outages have raised concerns about IRCTC’s digital infrastructure and its ability to handle peak booking periods effectively. Previous disruptions have seen up to 50% of website users unable to access the platform, compounding frustrations during busy travel times.
Conclusion
As passengers continue to face difficulties with IRCTC’s services, it remains crucial for the organization to address these technical issues promptly. With ongoing complaints and frustrations mounting among users, many are hoping for improvements in the platform’s reliability as they prepare for their journeys in 2025.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information gathered from various sources related to the IRCTC outage. The views expressed are those of users and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all passengers or stakeholders involved. Users are encouraged to check official channels for updates regarding service availability and ticket bookings.
