Irctc — Chart re-preparation after ticket status confirmed: Confirmed and then waitlisted

Address:

Burdwan, West Bengal

I was travelling from Ranchi, Jharkhand to Asansol, West Bengal on 29th June 2015 by RNC-HWH Intercity Express(Train No. 18628). PNR No: [protected]. At the time of booking the status was WL14. On[protected], I got a text message from IRCTC confirming my ticket status as C1, 38. I was assured I had a confirmed ticket and planned for my travel. On[protected], i.e. just a day before my travel date, at 03:27 pm I got a text message from IRCTC stating that my current ticket status is WL, 2 and that the "chart has been re-prepared due to technical reasons". I panicked as I had commitments at work and had to reach on time the next day.I thought of trying for a Tatkal Ticket but since I got the message so late in the evening, I could not even book Tatkal ticket as it was not allowed by then. I could term this conduct by IRCTC as sheer negligence to a passenger's concern. But since I had to reach work on time, I boarded the train the next day. Quickly, I met the TTE and explained them the mishaps and told them that I needed to travel by this train only and that they look into the matter. What was totally surprising, was that they completely neglected my plea and stated that it was none of their concern as they are from Indian Railways and the ticketing is done by IRCTC and any compaints regarding it would not be entertained by them. After that they booked a ticket for me with penalty. They completely denied any responsibility for all that had happened. So I would like to draw concern over all this commotion and inconvenience that I have gone through only because of the inefficiency of IRCTC and Indian Railways. If some technical problem occurred at their side, they should have been responsible enough to offer some alternate arrangements for the passenger who suffered only because of their negligence and inefficiency.