The IRCTC website faced a major crash on Thursday as thousands of passengers rushed to book train tickets ahead of Diwali, leaving many disappointed. With the festival falling on Monday, October 20, people are heading to their hometowns over the weekend, causing heavy traffic and packed stations.To handle the surge, Indian Railways has introduced special trains and buses, but tickets are being sold out within minutes of booking. Major railway stations like Chennai Central, Egmore, and Tambaram are witnessing massive crowds, making even platform movement difficult.
Passengers are now turning to Tatkal bookings, with AC seats opening at 10 a.m. and non-AC sleeper seats at 11 a.m. on October 17. However, the IRCTC portal crashed within minutes, leaving travelers frustrated.
Adding to the chaos, the website also announced that tickets booked within the next hour could not be cancelled — worsening the travel woes of those trying to secure seats during the festive rush.