IRCTC Windows App disappoint users

IRCTC Windows App disappoint users

New Delhi: In September last year, the ministry of railways quietly announced an application for users of its e-ticket portal Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC), but made it available only for Windows phone and Windows 8 device users, who account for less than 10 per cent in the Indian market.

The app, which is available free-of-cost on then Windows store, has been rated four stars by 2,199 users since September 2013, when it was launched. However, most users of the Windows operating system who have tried to use the app have been disappointed so far.

“The app requires you to generate a TPIN before logging in. It took me multiple tries and over 30 minutes before I gave up the attempt,” said city-based school teacher Prerna Maggu.

“I managed to generate the TPIN, but when I tried to book a ticket, the site was down for maintenance,” said Bangalore-based IT professional Mayur Naidu.

Reviews like these abound on the Windows Store. Problems range from not being able to book or cancel tickets, to slow connection issues and the app not syncing with the online application.

The app can be used to “plan a trip, make railway reservations, check the PNR status and perform all the tasks already available on the IRCTC website,” the press note from the railways ministry had said last year.

Last week, the ministry had announced a Train Enquiry Mobile App on the Window platform, which will be followed by an Android version soon.

In the second quarter last year, the Android operating system accounted for 91 per cent of the Indian market, according to market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) data. Only 5.4 per cent of Indian users preferred Windows OS. According to CyberMedia Research, Windows platform accounted for 3 per cent and 1.5 per cent of the India smartphone market in the first and second quarter, respectively, this year.

“It is a very misplaced strategy for India. IRCTC has not done its due diligence,” said Greyhound Research CEO Sanchit Vir Gogia. “An app that serves a large section of the public should not be limited to one vendor,” he added.

Similar to IRCTC, Jet Airways had also launched an App exclusively for Windows in May last year. It later followed it up with apps for Android and Apple’s iOS to cater to a wider user base. The IRCTC has not announced plans to develop its App on any other OS so far.

Several attempts to reach IRCTC officials did not elicit a response. “Microsoft helps entities such as IRCTC develop an app, but once it is up and running, it is the responsibility of the publisher to maintain it and ensure smooth functioning,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.