The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) experienced a significant outage on Saturday morning, disrupting access for countless users attempting to book railway tickets and utilize other travel services. This unexpected disruption was particularly frustrating during the Tatkal booking window, a critical time for securing last-minute tickets, leading to allegations of collusion and demands for a thorough investigation.
Users took to social media to report the issue, emphasizing its severity. Many expressed their inability to view or receive tickets on the website or mobile app, while others faced technical glitches that hindered payment transactions. Downdetector.com, a popular website monitoring platform, confirmed over 200 reports of service disruptions affecting IRCTC users.
On X (formerly Twitter), one user voiced their frustration: “Hey @IRCTCofficial, why does your website go down for 5 mins during tatkal booking, allowing touts to grab all tickets? Is this collusion? @RailMinIndia & @Central_Railway, please investigate & resolve this issue! #IRCTC #TatkalTicket #RailwayReform.” Such accusations raise serious concerns that require immediate attention from authorities.
Another user expressed their exasperation: “What is WRONG with this IRCTC website? I cleared the cache, closed & opened the browser, and restarted my machine. Tried this for days with HARD LUCK.” This sentiment reflects the widespread frustration over the outage and the lack of effective solutions for ticket booking.
The IRCTC outage highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure and reliable services. The disruption not only inconvenienced passengers but also raised alarming questions about possible collusion and the advantages afforded to unauthorized ticket vendors. The Railway Ministry and IRCTC must act swiftly to resolve these issues and ensure their platforms remain functional and accessible, especially during crucial booking periods like Tatkal.
