IRCTC website down: The Indian Railways' online ticketing platform, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) had a significant outage on Thursday. Blocking travellers throughout the nation from using the IRCTC website or mobile app, lakhs of travellers rely on the site to purchase or manage their train tickets. The IRCTC website said that the e-ticketing service will be unavailable due to maintenance work. The outage inconvenienced countless customers who were trying to book Tatkal tickets over the holidays. According to Downdetector, there were over 2,500 complaints concerning the online ticketing service's unavailability. Many people complained and expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter) about the platform being unavailable at peak tatkal time. India is the largest IT hub in the world, yet it cannot fix a website. You can collect taxes but fail to provide proper services in return. What a shame!@IRCTCofficial @RailwaySeva @RailMinIndia #IRCTC #Down #Rail pic.twitter.com/AAl8ljmSr5 — Guy On The Street (@msdneville) December 26, 2024 This is the second time in December that the e-ticketing platform has experienced an interruption; here's all you need to know about navigating the outage, booking/cancelling tickets, and using the helpline numbers. How to book train tickets amid the IRCTC website outage? 1. Railway station counters: Head to the closest railway reservation counter. Fill out the reservation form and buy your tickets in person. 2. Third-party apps and websites: Utilise reliable third-party services integrated with the IRCTC system, allowing you to book train tickets online. 3. Call 139 (Indian Railways Enquiry): Dial 139 for assistance from the Indian Railways helpline. You can check train availability and book tickets through their interactive voice response system or speak with an agent. 4. Post office: Certain post offices in India provide train ticket booking services; one can visit a nearby post office offering this option. Pro Tip: Always carry a valid ID proof when booking tickets. For last-minute travel, explore other transportation options such as buses or flights in case train tickets are sold out. How to cancel or reschedule train tickets amid the IRCTC website outage? If you need to cancel or change your tickets due to an outage, IRCTC advises passengers to either reach out to customer service or send an email. Contact information provided by IRCTC for assistance with cancellations includes customer care numbers: 14646, 08044647999, and 08035734999. Email: etickets@irctc.co.in
