The IRCTC website experienced technical issues on Saturday morning, causing disruptions for passengers trying to book train tickets ahead of the Chhath Puja festival. Several users reported being unable to access the site, while some also faced problems with the IRCTC app, particularly during the Tatkal booking window over the past few days. The outage tracking platform Downdetector recorded around 180 reports of issues at approximately 10:07 am.
Despite the surge in complaints, IRCTC has not issued an official statement. However, the platform responded to some user concerns on its X handle, directing affected passengers to submit complaints through its eQuery portal using registered mobile numbers or email addresses. The timing of the outage coincides with the massive festive travel rush, as millions of passengers prepare to travel for Chhath, one of the most significant festivals in Bihar.
Indian Railways has ramped up operations to manage the increased passenger load, running over 12,000 special trains across the country. Major stations such as New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Udhna, Pune, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have set up holding areas with essential passenger amenities to accommodate the festive crowd.
The technical issues with the IRCTC website and app highlight the strain on digital infrastructure during peak booking periods. With the ongoing festive season and heavy travel demand, passengers are urged to plan their travel in advance and explore alternative booking methods, including through authorized travel agents or offline railway counters.
Indian Railways continues to monitor the situation and aims to ensure smooth operations during the festival period. Passengers experiencing issues are encouraged to report problems promptly and stay updated via official IRCTC channels. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by online systems during high-demand periods, emphasizing the need for robust digital infrastructure and contingency planning.
This outage has created frustration among travelers, but the railways’ expanded services and passenger support measures are expected to alleviate much of the inconvenience.
