IRCTC down again: Passengers struggle to book tatkal tickets amid system failure

New Delhi: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the online ticketing platform for Indian Railways, is grappling with a significant outage today, disrupting access for countless passengers. This technical failure has rendered both the website and mobile app inaccessible, causing frustration among travelers who depend on the service during this peak holiday season.

Maintenance Activities Cause Disruption

IRCTC has attributed the outage to scheduled maintenance activities. In an official statement, the organization informed users, "Due to maintenance activity, e-ticketing service will not be available. Please try later." This marks the second disruption in December alone, raising concerns among frequent users about the reliability of the platform.

Alternative Cancellation Options Available

In light of the ongoing issues, IRCTC has advised passengers needing to cancel tickets to reach out via customer care or email for assistance with Ticket Deposit Receipts (TDR). The contact information provided includes:

• Customer Care Numbers: 14646, 08044647999, 08035734999
• Email: etickets@irctc.co.in

This guidance aims to alleviate some of the inconvenience caused by the outage, although it remains a challenging time for travelers.

Impact on Stock Performance

The outage has also affected IRCTC's stock performance, with shares declining nearly 1% during today's trading session. Over the past week, the stock has experienced a decrease of approximately 4%, contributing to a year-to-date decline of over 10% for investors in 2024.

Recent Changes to Ticketing Policies

This disruption comes on the heels of significant changes to Indian Railways' ticket booking policies implemented on November 1. The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) was reduced from 120 days to just 60 days. This adjustment aims to mitigate over-bookings and cancellations but has received mixed reactions from passengers. Railway Board officials have indicated that this change will enhance tracking of actual travel demand and improve planning for special trains during peak periods.

A Call for Improved Reliability

As IRCTC navigates these challenges, passengers are left hoping for swift resolutions and improved reliability in the future. The ongoing issues highlight the need for robust systems that can withstand high demand, especially during critical travel seasons.