The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation IRCTC down, website and mobile app are now functioning normally after a 90-minute outage earlier today. The disruption left countless passengers unable to book or cancel train tickets, causing widespread inconvenience. The issue has been resolved, and all services are fully restored.
What Happened During the Outage?
- Duration: The outage lasted approximately 1.5 hours, disrupting train ticket bookings nationwide.
- User Reports: Many users took to social media to report issues accessing the platform.
- Error Message: Both the website and app displayed the message:”Unable to perform action due to maintenance activity.”
- Scope of the Problem: According to Downdetector, over 2,500 users reported disruptions.
- 72% of issues were with the website.
- 28% of complaints related to the mobile app.
Impact on IRCTC and Its Users
- Passenger Disruption: The inability to book or cancel train tickets left passengers frustrated, especially those trying to secure last-minute travel plans.
- Stock Market Impact: IRCTC’s stock saw a 1% decline during the trading session following the outage.
- Weekly Performance: A nearly 4% decline over the past week.
- Year-to-Date (YTD): A negative return of over 10% in 2024.
How to Book or Cancel Tickets During Future Outages
In the event of another IRCTC outage, passengers can try alternative methods:
- Booking Counters: Visit your nearest railway station for over-the-counter bookings.
- Authorized Agents: Use licensed railway agents for booking or cancellations.
- Third-Party Platforms: Apps like Paytm and RailYatri allow train bookings in coordination with IRCTC services.
- Customer Care: Dial IRCTC’s helpline for assistance with bookings or refunds.
Historical Context
This is not the first time IRCTC has faced such issues. Past outages have caused similar disruptions, raising concerns over the platform’s reliability during peak usage periods. Users and investors are eager for IRCTC’s official statement regarding the root cause of the outage and preventive measures being put in place.
Looking Ahead
While services are now back to normal, passengers and stakeholders are urging IRCTC to improve its system’s resilience and reduce downtime in the future. With an increasing reliance on digital platforms for train ticket bookings, ensuring uninterrupted services is critical for maintaining trust and user satisfaction.
