IRCTC Server Errors Disrupt Festival Ticket Bookings; Passengers Allege Agent Raj Continues
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Passengers across Gujarat are facing difficulties booking train tickets for Diwali and Chhath Puja as the IRCTC portal reportedly experiences server errors and heavy traffic immediately after its advance booking window opens at 8 am.
Despite allegations of substantial expenditure on improving the online ticketing system, passengers have complained that the portal becomes unresponsive during peak booking hours, while confirmed seats on trains to Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are filling within minutes.
The recurring problem has renewed questions over the railway reservation system, with passengers also alleging that the influence of railway agents continues despite the availability of online booking.
Festival Ticket Rush Begins Across Gujarat
With Diwali and Chhath Puja approaching, migrant workers and families living in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and other major cities have started planning their journeys to their hometowns.
Railway reservation counters are witnessing early morning queues as passengers attempt to secure tickets for the festive period.
Trains connecting Gujarat with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are among those facing heavy demand, leaving passengers struggling to obtain confirmed berths.
The rush is particularly severe during Diwali, when demand for both rail and bus services rises sharply.
IRCTC Portal Faces Complaints As Booking Opens At 8 am
Under the current railway reservation system, passengers can book tickets up to 60 days in advance.
However, passengers have alleged that the IRCTC website and application experience heavy loading and technical errors as soon as the booking window opens at 8 am.
By the time the portal becomes accessible again, many available seats have reportedly been booked, leaving passengers with waiting-list tickets.
The situation has raised concerns about the portal's ability to handle concentrated demand during peak reservation hours.
Passengers Question Online Booking System
Passengers have questioned why the online reservation system continues to face technical difficulties despite reported spending of crores of rupees on the portal.
The complaints have also revived allegations about the continued influence of railway agents, with passengers questioning whether ordinary users receive a fair opportunity to secure tickets during the limited booking window.
However, the specific allegations regarding agent involvement have not been independently established.
Waiting Lists Force Passengers To Consider Costlier Travel
With confirmed railway tickets difficult to obtain, passengers are increasingly concerned about the cost of travelling home during the festive season.
Heavy demand for buses and trains often pushes up fares, forcing families to consider paying substantially more than usual for their journeys.
Some passengers face the prospect of paying up to three times the regular fare for alternative transport when railway bookings remain unavailable.
For migrant families planning to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja with relatives, the combination of portal errors, waiting lists and expensive alternatives has made advance travel planning increasingly difficult.
