Patna: Passengers preparing to travel home for Diwali and Chhath faced major difficulties on Friday morning as the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and mobile application slowed down significantly. Many travelers trying to book tickets found that the servers were not responding, leaving them frustrated and worried about their travel plans. Social media platforms were quickly filled with complaints and screenshots showing the website’s downtime.
Railway officials said the problem occurred because millions of passengers logged in at the same time. Tatkal ticket bookings for AC class start at 10 a.m., while sleeper class bookings open at 11 a.m. On Friday, this sudden rush of users caused the servers to slow down and sometimes crash. In Patna district alone, which usually handles around 6,000 ticket bookings per day, the system faced significant disruption.
To help passengers, railway officials suggested contacting helpline numbers 14646, 08044647999, or 08035734999. Complaints can also be sent by email to etickets@irctc.co.in. In case of emergencies, travelers were advised to buy tickets directly from railway counters to avoid delays or cancellations. The Railways also said steps are being taken to increase server capacity and improve technology to ensure smoother bookings during festivals in the future.
Experts said that high traffic on booking websites is common during Diwali and Chhath, and travelers should plan their tickets in advance. Clearing browser caches and trying to book during less busy times can help. Patience is needed when booking Tatkal tickets, and the helplines can assist travelers facing problems. Following these tips can help ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey during India’s busiest festive seasons.
