Delhi High Court Orders Railways, IRCTC to Address Online Ticket Booking Issues

The Delhi High Court has intervened in the long-standing problem of difficulty in securing instant tickets through online railway booking platforms, issuing notices to both the Railway Ministry and IRCTC following a public interest litigation.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia directed the authorities to submit their responses within seven days, signaling the court's intent to examine whether technological barriers or other factors are hampering fair access to ticket reservations.

The petition highlights frustrations faced by passengers attempting to book tickets through the IRCTC website and mobile application, with many attributing booking failures to system glitches or automated processes that may disadvantage ordinary users.

The High Court's intervention comes amid persistent public complaints about the inequitable distribution of available seats during peak booking windows. The court's directive suggests it will examine whether the current system adequately addresses passenger grievances and ensures transparent access to India's railway ticketing infrastructure.

The Railways and IRCTC now have one week to file their formal responses before the next hearing, during which the bench is expected to receive detailed submissions on the existing booking mechanism and any planned improvements.