Booking a Tatkal train ticket on IRCTC has turned into a daily digital gamble, and now, even prominent entrepreneurs are calling it out. Every morning at 10 AM, countless Indians brace themselves for a frustrating race against the clock. Seats appear available, only to vanish in seconds as the website freezes, crashes, or simply gives up. The ritual is so familiar that it’s become a running joke online, but for those relying on emergency travel, the experience is anything but funny.
Among the many voices rising against this glitch-ridden madness is Dr A. Velumani, the founder of Thyrocare. Sharing a viral image on X (formerly Twitter) from Stocks in HD’s Threads account, Dr Velumani didn’t mince words. He called the entire experience “shocking” and, if true, a “betrayal.” The post had outlined the minute-by-minute chaos of Tatkal booking, where everything seems fine until the clock hits 10, and then the website seemingly collapses under pressure.
But Dr Velumani didn’t stop at criticism. Drawing parallels from his own company’s experience, he offered a practical solution. Thyrocare, he recalled, once faced a similar problem of server overload during peak traffic. Since adding expensive spare servers wasn’t viable, his team solved it by staggering user access. He suggested IRCTC do the same, allowing only a fraction of trains (say 1/10th) to be booked every hour, as a simple way to optimise load and ensure smoother operations. He tagged IRCTC’s official account and shared this recommendation.
What does the survey say?
Securing a Tatkal train ticket remains a frustrating experience for most Indian travellers, according to a new nationwide survey by LocalCircles, as reported by Business Standard. Conducted between April and May 2025, the survey covered over 55,000 travellers across 396 districts.
A staggering 73% of respondents who tried booking online in the past year said they were waitlisted within the first minute of the Tatkal window opening. Only 40% of those surveyed felt the regular online process was the best way to secure a Tatkal ticket, while over 30% admitted turning to travel agents instead. Others resorted to using multiple devices, visiting railway stations, or even contacting MPs or railway staff.
The reports further claimed that out of 18,851 people who attempted Tatkal bookings in the last 12 months, 29% said they succeeded only 0–25% of the time, while another 29% reported never succeeding. Just 10% got a ticket every time they tried.
Among the many voices rising against this glitch-ridden madness is Dr A. Velumani, the founder of Thyrocare. Sharing a viral image on X (formerly Twitter) from Stocks in HD’s Threads account, Dr Velumani didn’t mince words. He called the entire experience “shocking” and, if true, a “betrayal.” The post had outlined the minute-by-minute chaos of Tatkal booking, where everything seems fine until the clock hits 10, and then the website seemingly collapses under pressure.
But Dr Velumani didn’t stop at criticism. Drawing parallels from his own company’s experience, he offered a practical solution. Thyrocare, he recalled, once faced a similar problem of server overload during peak traffic. Since adding expensive spare servers wasn’t viable, his team solved it by staggering user access. He suggested IRCTC do the same, allowing only a fraction of trains (say 1/10th) to be booked every hour, as a simple way to optimise load and ensure smoother operations. He tagged IRCTC’s official account and shared this recommendation.
Meanwhile, users on social media added their own insights. Some likened Tatkal bookings to a lottery. Others pointed out that automated systems used by booking agents are the real culprits, grabbing tickets in seconds while regular users struggle to even load the page. Many agreed the problem runs deeper than server load, hinting at systemic loopholes and unfair advantages.We too had similar chronic peak server load problem in #Thyrocare. We could not afford costly spare servers. But we solved it by staggering it. My managers were wise. 😂
— Dr. A. Velumani.PhD. (@velumania) June 3, 2025
If it is really server problem from 8 am to 6 pm allow 1/10 of trains booking every hour.
It is server… https://t.co/jLJBqQJoyq
What does the survey say?
Securing a Tatkal train ticket remains a frustrating experience for most Indian travellers, according to a new nationwide survey by LocalCircles, as reported by Business Standard. Conducted between April and May 2025, the survey covered over 55,000 travellers across 396 districts.
A staggering 73% of respondents who tried booking online in the past year said they were waitlisted within the first minute of the Tatkal window opening. Only 40% of those surveyed felt the regular online process was the best way to secure a Tatkal ticket, while over 30% admitted turning to travel agents instead. Others resorted to using multiple devices, visiting railway stations, or even contacting MPs or railway staff.
The reports further claimed that out of 18,851 people who attempted Tatkal bookings in the last 12 months, 29% said they succeeded only 0–25% of the time, while another 29% reported never succeeding. Just 10% got a ticket every time they tried.
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