IRCTC: REVOLUTIONIZING RAIL TRAVEL IN INDIA :
Now, over 20 years into its journey, IRCTC stands tall as one of the largest e-commerce platforms in India and the Asia-Pacific region.
Next-Generation E-Ticketing System (NGeT)
On April 28, 2014, IRCTC upgraded to the Next Generation E-Ticketing (NGeT) System, significantly enhancing its capacity. The system, powered by high-capacity servers, can process over 26,000 tickets per minute. A record 28,434 tickets were booked in a single minute on November 12, 2022, at 11:02 AM, highlighting its robust capabilities.
Online Dominance in Ticket Bookings
IRCTC has pioneered internet-based rail ticket booking through its official website, www.irctc.co.in, and its Rail Connect Mobile App, available on Android and iOS platforms. During FY 2022-23, online bookings accounted for 82.68% of all reserved tickets on Indian Railways. On average, 12.38 lakh tickets were sold daily via these platforms in FY 2023-24.
Traditional ticket booking counters contributed to the remaining 17–18% of bookings, operating between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily (with a half-day on Sundays). Despite this, IRCTC's 24/7 availability—excluding a 35-minute maintenance window from 11:45 PM to 12:20 AM—makes it the preferred choice for millions.
Addressing Growing Demand
India, the world's largest democracy with a population of 1.44 billion, relies heavily on railways for travel. While the NGeT system processes up to 26,000 tickets per minute, this capacity often falls short, especially during peak seasons such as festivals, long weekends, and school holidays. The rising demand for rail travel underscores the need for further capacity expansion to avoid bottlenecks.
The situation mirrors challenges seen in other sectors, such as waste management under Swachh Bharat, where demand outpaces capacity. Shouldn’t we take proactive steps to address this?
The Way Forward
As a nation of vibrant, social, and family-oriented travelers, railways remain the most convenient and economical option for journeys over 300 km, second only to air travel. It’s time to ensure that IRCTC’s ticketing capacity aligns with the growing aspirations of Indians.
LET’S NOT LET THE CAPACITY FOR GROWTH STAGNATE—we must invest in enhancing this vital service. After all, travel is an integral part of India’s cultural and social fabric, and our railways must rise to meet the ever-growing demand. more
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It’s not that Indian Railways dismisses our suggestions or complaints outright. However, these issues may seem minor compared to the more pressing challenges IR faces, such as rail accidents.
That said, while Indian Railways works on addressing critical concerns like signaling systems and accident prevention, it’s equally important to address smaller yet significant irritants that impact the everyday experience of rail travelers. more