IRCTC Algorithm Ensures No Man, Woman Sit Together: Desis Share Funny Rail 'Coincidences' Online

Tell me something more difficult and unfortunate than booking a Tatkal ticket on the IRCTC app. Indeed, that moment when the clock strikes 10:00 a.m. is nothing short of heart-stopping, as we virtually stand in line, hoping for our tickets to be confirmed, only to be confronted with a waiting list in just a matter of minutes. The delays and glitches conspire to ensure that obtaining the tickets is a rarity unless you happen to be that fortunate 1 out of every 10 individuals (a statement, not a fact).

While this is an ordeal familiar to anyone who has booked tickets at least once in their lifetime, the absolute improbability of a young woman securing a seat next to a stranger, be it adjacent or opposite, is another challenge altogether.

Also Read: Man With AC Ticket Slams Indian Railways After Overcrowded Train Prevents Him from Travelling Home

And just as the online universe was recovering from this ordeal, a user on the micro-blogging site ‘X’ injected humour into the situation with the infamous meme featuring Walter White from the ‘Breaking Bad’ series mixing chemical ingredients, captioned, “IRCTC’s algorithm taking care of the seating arrangement of a boy and girl to avoid any face-to-face or side-by-side encounters while booking tickets.” To everyone’s delight, this quirk in the algorithm quickly became the talk of the town.

“Only in films Hero gets a heroine in train travel! In reality we get only Grandpa and grandma!!! They too pick our Lower birth booked months ago!!” exclaimed one user. Another quipped, “Nd Givin seats to Families with kids near by so tht u can’t even sleep at night.”

Joining the mirth, others jumped on board to share their own amusing tales with the app.

“Where as irctc also – taking care that no person above the age of 50 gets a lower berth so that a 20-30 year old who got a lower has to show the world how good his upbringing is by allocating his lower to that senior,” commented one user. Another added, “IRCTC’s algorithm making sure that I always get a seat near toile.t” The third user humourously declared, “IRCTC algorithm making sure of my seat will confirm as RAC.”

So, what are your ‘coincidences’ with the app?