The issue of problems faced by common passengers while booking online rail tickets has now reached the Delhi High Court. While hearing the PIL filed in this regard, the court has sought response from the Railway Ministry and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). During the hearing of the case, the division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia has asked the Central Government and Railways to obtain instructions in this regard and inform the court. The court has given one week's time for this. In the petition, the issue of various problems faced by passengers during online rail ticket booking and related problems has been raised. Hearing the arguments of the petitioner, the High Court has asked the Railway Ministry and IRCTC to clarify their stand in this matter.
Demand for audit of IRCTC and RailOne systems
Advocate Shubham Kumar, appearing for petitioner Uttam Kumar, said that in the petition, a demand has been made to conduct an independent and technically competent audit of the passenger reservation system of IRCTC, RailOne and other digital platforms related to them. The petition mentions several alleged technical glitches related to the online ticket booking system and problems faced by passengers. The petitioner says that an independent investigation of the technical capability of the system and its functioning is necessary.
Website becomes slow as soon as booking window opens
The main complaint made in the petition is about the website being slow and hanging. According to the petitioner, as soon as the window for advance and tatkal ticket booking opens, the system starts lagging due to heavy traffic on the website. Especially during the festive season, passengers have to face problems like login, authentication and sudden closure of booking session. The petition also highlights the difficulties faced by passengers in booking tickets due to these technical problems.
High Court sought reply from Railways
During the hearing of the case, the High Court has sought answers from the Railway Ministry and IRCTC in this regard. The court has asked the government and the Railways to clarify their position by taking necessary instructions within a week. Now in the next hearing, Railways and IRCTC are expected to file a reply on the technical arrangements of the online ticket booking system and the complaints raised in the petition.
If the money is deducted and the ticket is not received, then the refund system is also questioned.
In the petition, the problem of money being deducted during online ticket booking but ticket not being generated has also been raised. According to the petitioner, many times the ticket amount is deducted from the passenger's bank account, but the booking is not completed and the ticket is not issued. The petition demands a clear and time bound refund system for such a situation. It has been argued that if there is a delay in refund after deducting the money, then the opportunity for the passenger to book the ticket again may be lost. In such a situation, there is a need to complete the refund process transparently and within the stipulated time frame.
Also accused of use of bots and automated tools
The petition has also raised the issue of alleged use of bots and automated tools in the ticket booking system. It has been claimed that tickets are being booked through some unauthorized software, automated scripts and bulk-booking tools. The petitioner alleges that the use of such tools may give some agents or middlemen unfairly greater access to available tickets than the general public. The petition demands technical investigation of such activities and independent auditing of the system.
Demand for independent technical audit
The petition demands an independent and technically competent audit of the passenger reservation systems of IRCTC, RailOne and related digital platforms. Through this, a demand has been made to investigate the capability of the website, payment and refund system as well as alleged automated interference in ticket booking.
Questions on Tatkal, RAC and waiting ticket allocation also
In the petition, questions have also been raised regarding the allocation of seats falling vacant under Tatkal quota, RAC and waiting list. The petitioner says that the rules prescribed in the allocation of these seats should be completely followed and the entire process should be transparent. The petitioner has urged the court to direct that an independent and technically competent audit of the entire digital ecosystem related to railway reservation be conducted. Besides, a demand has also been made to take necessary steps so that common passengers can get fair and equal opportunities in ticket booking.
Railways will present its side in the next hearing
Delhi High Court has sought reply from Railway Ministry and IRCTC in the matter. The court has asked the government and the Railways to take instructions and clarify their position within a week. Now in the next hearing, the reply will be presented before the court by the Railway Ministry and IRCTC. After this reply, the direction of further action on the complaints raised in the petition related to the online rail ticket booking system may become clear.
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