The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) implemented a new rule, that will allow only one ticket per user in one login session. The restrictions will be in place between the peak hours of 8am to 12pm, during which time users will be logged out automatically after making a single e-ticket booking. The restriction will apply to IRCTC agents as well. However, the agency will allow tickets to be booked for onward journeys or return journeys without logging the user out. Users will also be able to book tickets without restrictions outside the 8am to 12pm timeframe, while defence bookings with a warrant can take place without restriction. According to IRCTC, this move will overall help reduce the number of transactions made by the agents and like, as they will have to login after each transaction. Even if the agents use an automated software to re-login, the minute or so wasted there, should allow legitimate users to perform their transactions. IRCTC has been taking various steps to stop agents from hogging tickets. This is especially true since 2012 when it was alleged that a daily 4-5 minute down-time at 8am on its website, was orchestrated to ensure that touts have exclusivity over emergency tickets. In the ensuing month IRCTC took steps like allowing agents to book only one tatkal ticket per train per day on the website after 12pm, and allowing individual users only 2 tickets between 10am and 12pm. Ticketing initiatives: IRCTC’s online ticketing site is known…
