IRCTC Launches Massive Crackdown: Over 3 Crore User IDs Deactivated to Curb Ticket Hoarding

In an effort to restore fairness for genuine travelers, Indian Railways has purged millions of accounts and expanded automated hygiene monitoring across its vast kitchen network.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has initiated a widespread digital cleanup, targeting the systemic manipulation of its online booking portal. In a significant move to ensure that confirmed tickets reach legitimate passengers rather than automated hoarding networks, authorities have deactivated over 3 crore suspicious user IDs. This operation serves as a direct response to the persistent struggle faced by commuters attempting to secure bookings, particularly during high-demand periods like the Tatkal window.

Dismantling the Bot Menace

The scale of digital interference uncovered by the railways is staggering. Between July and December 2025 alone, the system intercepted and blocked more than 60 billion malicious bot requests. These automated scripts were designed to bypass standard booking procedures, effectively allowing private agents to monopolize inventory within seconds of availability. By systematically disabling these fraudulent identities and blocking over 12,000 suspicious email domains, the railways aim to stabilize the platform and prevent the unfair practice of bulk ticket harvesting.

To further tighten security, the ministry has mandated an Aadhaar-based OTP verification process for Tatkal transactions. This “one person, one account” policy makes it significantly more difficult for automated tools to bypass identity checks, creating a more robust barrier against the creation of multiple fake IDs. Continuous surveillance by agencies like CERT-In and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre remains in place to monitor traffic patterns and thwart emerging cyber threats.

AI-Enhanced Kitchen Standards

Beyond the digital booking landscape, the railways are modernizing how they manage onboard food services. A network of over 800 kitchens is now being monitored by 2,394 AI-enabled cameras. These systems are programmed to detect minute lapses in food safety, identifying items as small as 7-8 millimeters—roughly the size of an ant. The technology tracks nine critical hygiene parameters, including the proper use of head caps and transparent gloves, as well as the presence of pests like rodents or cockroaches.

The system is designed for swift accountability. When the monitoring software flags an irregularity—such as a worker failing to wear a head cap, which remains the most common violation—an alert is immediately sent to the respective kitchen manager. If the issue is not rectified within a two-hour window, the complaint is escalated for further administrative action. This real-time oversight is intended to ensure that quality standards remain consistent across the extensive rail network, addressing long-standing passenger grievances regarding hygiene.

Officials confirm that the crackdown is already yielding results, with a marked reduction in organized manipulation of the booking portal. By integrating advanced cyber surveillance with proactive infrastructure monitoring, the railways are attempting to reclaim the ticketing process for the ordinary passenger, making the experience both faster and more reliable.