Title - IRCTC becomes 'laughing stock' on Twitter

NEW DELHI: Anybody who has ever tried to book a tatkal (immediate) ticket via IRCTC, the subsidiary of Indian Railways, knows how frustrating the experience can be as its site is often inaccessible, usually between 10 am to 12 pm.

On Thursday, Twitter was flooded with angry and amusing tweets about IRCTC with users venting their ire and frustration.
In fact, while posting this story too, IRCTC is trending on top on Twitter India. In public interest, we decided to bring some of the most interesting and humourous ones to you.

@agarwalriya_: What if IRCTC is actually promoting ticketless travel?

@AMSinghvi: IRCTC: India's favorite massively multi-player online adventure game.

@HyderabadiChai: Nitin Gadkari says IRCTC is down because Rahul Gandhi doesn't have a good IQ :P

@babasachinanand: Guess this Diwali already has its first casuality #IRCTC.

@HyderabadiChai: IRCTC is the only website which takes the same time to load irrespective of the speed of your Internet connection.

@srini_mv: Dear Sachin, scoring Century against Railways is not a big deal - Try booking a Ticket in IRCTC once #irctc

@HazirJawab: Thats why Advani Ji prefer his own "Rath" over "IRCTC".

@iaddysharma: IRCTC- (I)ndian (R)ailway's (C)oncept of (T)orturing (C)itizens !!

@vambukku: maybe i should start walking to my hometown rather than waiting to get log on in #IRCTC to book ticket

@msiroya: Q:How to test browser speed? A: Try opening IRCTC.* *Plug in power source to ur laptop b4 attempting this.

@subhendu: Want to test your luck? open http://www.irctc.co.in now

@iNeelSoni: Just In : Arvind Kejriwal to expose IRCTC and Internet Explorer at 5 PM

@coolfunnytshirt: A lot of people think IRCTC's tagline is 'This webpage is not available'.

@fakingnews: Why is IRCTC trending? Someone finally booked a tatkal ticket in one attempt?

@coolfunnytshirt: IRCTC's server is SOTY - Server Of The Year.

@abcdefu: We are against reservation. - IRCTC

@beingpractical: When it comes to queuing up, IRCTC / Indian Railways can beat Apple any day!

IRCTC launched its online ticketing services in August 2002 . However, ever since its launch, the website has been at the receieving end of users who often complain of glitches, inaccessibility, slow speed and endless transaction failures. Regular assurances and changes made by the respective railway ministers over the years so far have failed to help the hapless traveller.

Till few months back, the bookings done under tatkal scheme used to start at 8 am and only next day tickets were available. However, due to the numerous loopholes in the scheme, it was heavily misused by touts and agents who used to do bulk bookings and alter sell tickets in black.

To control the menace, in July this year, the government introduced new tatkal rules. According to the new rules, tatkal bookings can be now done only between 10am to 12 pm. And during this time, authorised IRCTC agents or other travel agents are not allowed to book tickets. Also, as per the new regulations, they are allowed to buy only one ticket per train. As for the individual passenger, he or she can book two tatkal tickets during the reserved 10 am to 12 pm slot.