The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has launched a major crackdown on fake and suspicious user accounts to protect the integrity of its online ticket booking system. Officials said more than three crore suspicious user IDs have been deactivated, while nearly six crore accounts have been flagged for verification amid concerns over bots, tout networks and fake digital identities affecting ticket access.
Suspicious Accounts Under Verification
According to officials, the action follows repeated complaints over ticket availability during high-demand booking periods. Authorities believe automated booking pressure and coordinated misuse of the system have affected fair access for genuine passengers.
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Data shared by authorities shows that 501 complaints linked to around 4.2 lakh suspicious Passenger Name Records were registered on the National Cyber Crime Portal. Officials also said 13,343 suspicious email domains linked to fraudulent digital identities were blocked over the year as part of the anti-fraud drive.
IRCTC has strengthened artificial intelligence-based monitoring tools to detect misuse of its platform. Machine learning systems are being used to study booking patterns, identify anomalies and generate real-time alerts to curb bot-driven activity and agent-led manipulation.
AI Cameras Deployed In Railway Kitchens
Alongside ticketing reforms, IRCTC has expanded AI surveillance across its catering operations. More than 800 railway kitchens across the country have been equipped with 2,394 AI-powered smart cameras for real-time hygiene monitoring.
The systems are designed to detect nine categories of hygiene violations, including staff not wearing head caps or gloves, poor cleaning practices and the presence of pests such as rodents, flies and cockroaches. Officials said the cameras can identify even very small objects, allowing faster detection of violations.
The AI setup generates instant alerts so corrective action can be taken without delay. The system has been introduced amid recurring passenger complaints about food quality and hygiene standards on trains.
Digital Enforcement To Improve Passenger Services
Officials said the AI-based framework is not limited to cleanliness monitoring. It also tracks operational safety protocols and staff discipline, creating a wider quality control system across catering units.
Indian Railways has increasingly adopted digital tools across ticket booking, grievance redressal and service delivery. Authorities are now planning to expand AI-driven systems into more operational areas, including security monitoring and passenger service optimisation.
Experts believe such technology-led measures can strengthen trust in the railway ecosystem and improve access for genuine users. As passenger demand continues to rise, automated monitoring and digital enforcement are expected to become central to railway operations.
