IRCTC is facing nationwide backlash from customers struggling to book Tatkal tickets online. The latest debate surrounding the Indian Railways’ emergency ticket booking service erupted on X after a user, Ravisutanjani, tweeted about glitches plaguing the heavily-used website during Tatkal bookings.
The user urged the Railway Minister to attempt booking Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website at least once, emphasizing the need to experience firsthand the challenges faced by the public during the process.
What the User Tweeted:
“Railway Minister Should Try Using IRCTC Website Once For Booking Tatkal Train Tickets
That Website/App Doesn’t Work at 10 AM
All Tickets Mostly Gone By The Time You Login
And They Haven’t Been Able To Fix in a Decade”
Railway Minister Should Try Using IRCTC Website Once For Booking Tatkal Train Tickets
That Website/App Doesn’t Work at 10 AM
All Tickets Mostly Gone By The Time You Login
And They Haven’t Been Able To Fix in a Decade
— Ravisutanjani (@Ravisutanjani) January 26, 2025
As soon as the tweet went viral, it sparked a wave of mixed reactions from users. Many users resonated with the sentiment, sharing their own frustrating experiences of the website becoming unresponsive precisely at 10 AM, leading to missed booking opportunities. Some expressed skepticism about the possibility of securing a Tatkal ticket through the platform. Conversely, a few users defended IRCTC, suggesting that the high demand during Tatkal hours inevitably strains the system, and proposed potential solutions to enhance the booking experience.
Okay, then how tickets get booked?
Dude, it’s an issue with demand and supply and not with the app or website.
If 1000s of people try simultaneously to book 1 seat at a time, what else can happen? 999 people think that it’s an app / website issue.
— Bhavin Rathod (@BhavinRathodT) January 26, 2025
“Don’t Compare IRCTC To Zomato, Ola Or Uber”
When the topic of demand-supply issues arose, Ravisutanjani compared IRCTC to Zomato, highlighting that while the food delivery app manages 2 million orders daily, often even more during peak hours or festivals, it remains committed to its customers.
“Zomato does 2 million orders every day, more at peak hours/festivals. Ola/Uber/Flipkart too handles large volume. We’re talking about efficiency, the website/app was stuck for the straight 6-7 minutes. Don’t mix poor stack with supply demand issue.”
Nikhil Rokadiya Tweeted
“Many people of india still lives in small towns, villages who also book tatkal tickets right? and there is difference between per day orders or booking of zomato/ola/uber and at fixed time of 10 am and 11 am! so this is idiotic comparison!”
Okay, then how tickets get booked?
Dude, it’s an issue with demand and supply and not with the app or website.
If 1000s of people try simultaneously to book 1 seat at a time, what else can happen? 999 people think that it’s an app / website issue.
— Bhavin Rathod (@BhavinRathodT) January 26, 2025
Allegation On Agents
An user commented that the agents have been taking advantage of IRCTC’s Tatkal system, using shady methods to grab up tickets quickly. They then sell these tickets at inflated prices, charging passengers an extra ₹400-₹500, promising guaranteed bookings. This practice not only makes it harder for everyday travelers to get tickets fairly, but it also fuels a black-market economy. It creates a situation where those who genuinely need to travel are left frustrated and at a disadvantage, while others profit off their desperation. It’s a problem that continues to erode trust in the system.
Agents exploit IRCTC’s Tatkal system, monopolizing tickets via illicit means and charging ₹400-₹500 extra with guarantees. This undermines fair access and fosters a black-market economy.
— Nihar K (@CommonMan__) January 26, 2025
In addition to the daily challenges of booking tickets, IRCTC has faced criticism for its poor website maintenance, which has resulted in multiple outages, disrupting bookings for thousands of passengers. Frustrated users have also accused the platform of fostering another scam involving agents and the railway system.
