A recent nationwide survey by LocalCircles highlights significant challenges faced by Indian train travelers attempting to book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC platform. The survey, conducted between April and May 2025, gathered responses from over 55,000 travelers across more than 396 districts.
Rapid Sell-Outs: Approximately 73% of respondents reported that Tatkal tickets were sold out within the first minute of the booking window opening, often resulting in waitlisted statuses.
Low Success Rates: Among 18,851 individuals who attempted Tatkal bookings in the past year, 29% had a success rate of only 0–25%, and another 29% never succeeded. Only 10% consistently secured tickets.
Eroding Trust in IRCTC: Only 40% of travelers believe that using the official IRCTC platform is the best method for booking Tatkal tickets. Over 30% resorted to travel agents, while others used multiple devices, visited railway stations, or sought assistance from MPs or railway staff.
Technical Issues: Users frequently encounter website crashes, buffering, and payment failures during the booking process, leading to frustration and unsuccessful transactions.
The Tatkal scheme was introduced to provide last-minute travel options on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the current system is plagued by technical glitches and potential misuse by agents, undermining its intended purpose. Despite previous reforms, including measures to curb agent-related malpractices, challenges persist.
LocalCircles plans to present these findings to the Ministry of Railways, advocating for urgent reforms to enhance the Tatkal booking experience and restore public trust in the system.
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