The busiest booking season of the year turned into a test of patience for millions of railway passengers this week, and the political fallout has arrived just as quickly. As the revamped IRCTC website stumbled under the weight of Diwali 2026 demand, the Congress seized the moment to target Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, questioning his focus on social media rather than the platform's performance.
Political Swipe Lands as Passengers Report Booking Chaos
The Congress on Wednesday took a sharp dig at Vaishnaw in a video post on social media. The accompanying Hindi text read, "He can only make reels," a pointed reference to the minister's well-known habit of frequently sharing social media reels. The attack was direct, personal, and timed to coincide with growing public frustration over the ticketing system.
Why the Diwali Booking Window Matters So Much
For millions of Indian families, Diwali is not just a festival — it is the one time of year when travel plans are non-negotiable. Tickets for the festive season are booked months in advance, and the 8:00 am opening of the reservation window is treated like a race. When the system fails during this critical window, it does not just cause inconvenience; it disrupts family reunions, forces last-minute plan changes, and pushes anxious passengers toward unofficial channels.
What Happened on Monday and Tuesday Morning
According to passenger reports, the problems began around the 8:00 am opening of reservations on Monday and continued into Tuesday. The IRCTC website, its newly introduced beta version, and the RailOne app all experienced high-load issues simultaneously. Users reported being unable to complete bookings, with the disruptions reportedly lasting for about 50 minutes on each of those days.
The Human Cost of a Stumbling Platform
Behind every failed booking attempt is a real person — a student trying to get home, a parent planning a family gathering, a worker saving up for an annual trip. For those who are less tech-savvy or who rely on public computers or assistance from agents, a glitchy platform can mean missing out on confirmed tickets altogether. The frustration is amplified by the knowledge that the system was recently revamped, raising expectations of a smoother experience.
Minister's Social Media Presence Under Scrutiny
Vaishnaw has cultivated an active and visible social media presence, frequently posting reels that showcase railway infrastructure projects, technological upgrades, and behind-the-scenes moments. While this has made him one of the more accessible ministers online, it has also opened him up to criticism when the systems under his charge falter. The Congress's "reels" jibe is designed to contrast his online activity with the offline reality faced by passengers.
Reading the Political and Technical Signals
The Congress attack is predictable politics — an opposition party using a visible service failure to score points. But the underlying technical issue deserves serious attention. High-load failures during peak booking windows are not new to IRCTC, but the fact that the new beta version and the RailOne app also struggled suggests that the revamp may not have fully addressed scalability concerns. Whether this is a temporary spike or a deeper infrastructure problem remains to be seen.
Confirmed Facts vs What Remains Unclear
What is confirmed is that the Congress posted a video mocking Vaishnaw over the issue, and that passengers reported booking difficulties on Monday and Tuesday mornings. What remains unclear is the exact technical cause of the failures, the number of users affected, and whether the Ministry of Railways has initiated any specific remedial measures. No official statement from the ministry addressing these particular complaints has been released yet.
Why IRCTC's Performance Is a National Concern
IRCTC is not just a ticketing website; it is the digital gateway to India's railway network, which carries over 20 million passengers daily. When the platform stumbles, it affects every segment of society — from daily commuters to occasional travellers. The platform's ability to handle peak loads is not a technical luxury; it is a public service obligation.
Risks and the Need for a Balanced View
While the Congress's attack is politically motivated, it does highlight a legitimate concern. However, it is also worth noting that high-traffic spikes during festive booking seasons are a challenge for even the most robust digital platforms globally. The criticism should ideally push the ministry toward transparent communication about what went wrong and what is being done to prevent a recurrence, rather than descending into purely partisan mudslinging.
A Pattern of Peak-Season Pressure
This is not the first time IRCTC has faced criticism during high-demand periods. Previous festive seasons have also seen reports of slowdowns and glitches. The pattern suggests that while the platform has improved over the years, the surge in demand during specific windows continues to test its limits. The introduction of the beta version and the RailOne app was meant to address these concerns, but this week's events indicate that more work may be needed.
What Passengers Should Do Right Now
For those still trying to book Diwali tickets, patience and strategy are key. Trying again after the initial rush — typically after 9:00 am — often yields better results. Using the official IRCTC app or website directly, rather than third-party platforms, reduces the risk of additional delays. Keeping alternative travel dates flexible can also help in securing a confirmed booking.
What Happens Next
The immediate question is whether the Ministry of Railways will respond to the criticism with a technical explanation or an action plan. Given the political sensitivity, a response is likely. The longer-term question is whether the revamped platform will be stress-tested more rigorously before the next major booking season, such as the summer holidays or the next festive period.
Our Take
This episode is a reminder that digital infrastructure is only as good as its worst day. The Congress's mockery may be sharp, but the real issue is passenger trust. When millions of people depend on a single platform for one of the most important travel decisions of the year, reliability is not optional. The ministry would do well to treat this as a technical wake-up call rather than just a political headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the IRCTC website slow during Diwali bookings?
Passengers reported high-load problems on the IRCTC website, its beta version, and the RailOne app around the 8:00 am opening of reservations on Monday and Tuesday. The disruptions reportedly lasted about 50 minutes each day, preventing users from completing bookings.
What did the Congress say about Ashwini Vaishnaw?
The Congress posted a video on social media with Hindi text saying "He can only make reels," referring to the Railway Minister's frequent social media posts. The attack came in response to the reported technical issues during the Diwali booking window.
When did the IRCTC booking problems start?
The problems were reported days after the start of Diwali 2026 bookings, specifically on Monday and Tuesday mornings around the 8:00 am reservation opening time.
Has the Railway Ministry responded to the issue?
As of now, no official statement from the Ministry of Railways addressing these specific technical complaints has been released. The situation remains under observation.
