How the new IRCTC website differs from the old one: Here are 8 benefits you will get, including Tatkal ticket booking..
The Railways has recently presented a major gift to passengers. Indian Railways has implemented a significant digital transformation for the millions of people who travel by train. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the beta version of its new website. The aim is to make ticket booking faster and easier than ever before. Notably, this marks the first major overhaul of the website's design and system in 24 years.
The Railways states that the website will now perform better, even with the booking of lakhs of tickets daily. Many people are wondering how the new website differs from the old one and what new benefits passengers will enjoy.
1. Faster ticket booking without CAPTCHA
The most significant change in the new website is that users will no longer need to enter a CAPTCHA at every step. Previously, entering CAPTCHA codes multiple times during the booking process wasted time—a major inconvenience, especially during *Tatkal* (emergency quota) bookings. This process has now been simplified, resulting in faster booking times and an improved passenger experience.
2. Relief from pop-ups and ads
On the old website, numerous advertisements and pop-ups would appear during the booking process. This made the website feel sluggish and often caused distractions. The new website has eliminated such unnecessary pop-ups and flashing graphics, resulting in a clean, uncluttered screen. This ensures a seamless ticket booking experience without interruptions.
3. Seats for all classes visible at once
Previously, passengers had to check and compare seat availability for Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC, and other classes separately. Now, the new website displays seat information for all classes on one screen, making it easier to select the best option. This feature will save considerable time, particularly during *Tatkal* bookings.
4. Faster payment and checkout
The payment process following ticket booking has been simplified on the new website. Previously, multiple steps were required, but the checkout process has now been streamlined with fewer steps. This allows for faster ticket booking compared to before. Fewer steps also reduce the likelihood of payment failures and technical glitches.
5. No need to re-enter details repeatedly
Once passenger details are entered, the system saves them securely. These details will automatically appear the next time you book a ticket, making it easier and faster to book tickets for family or friends.
6. New design and improved user experience
The website’s appearance has been completely revamped, featuring a new color theme, a user-friendly menu, and improved navigation. It is designed for easy use on both mobile devices and computers. The Railways incorporated suggestions from students during the design process to ensure the website is easy for the general public to understand and use.
7. Faster payment and checkout
The payment process following ticket booking has been simplified on the new website. Previously, multiple steps were required, but the checkout process has now been streamlined with fewer steps. This allows for faster ticket booking compared to before. Fewer steps also reduce the likelihood of payment failures and technical glitches.
8. New reservation system coming soon
The Railways is also set to upgrade its existing Passenger Reservation System soon. The new website will be integrated with this updated system, which will further accelerate 'Tatkal' ticket booking. This will reduce server load and largely eliminate issues related to the website slowing down or crashing frequently.
Currently, a beta version of the website has been launched, meaning further changes will be made. Passengers will also have the option to provide feedback on the website. Based on these suggestions, the Railways may add new features and address existing shortcomings.
The new IRCTC website aims to provide passengers with a faster, easier, and improved online ticket booking experience. If the new reservation engine also becomes fully operational in the near future, the ticket booking process could become easier than ever before.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News18 Hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
