A few years ago, a Twitter user posted a complaint about seeing vulgar and inappropriate ads while using the IRCTC ticket booking app. He called the ads “embarrassing and irritating” and asked Indian Railways to fix the issue immediately. His tweet quickly grabbed attention online.
Indian Railways Responds Smartly
Irctc uses Googles ad serving tool ADX for serving ads.These ads uses cookies to target the user. Based on user history and browsing behaviour ads are shown. Pl clean and delete all browser cookies and history to avoid such ads .
-IRCTC Official
— RailwaySeva (@RailwaySeva) May 29, 2019
Instead of ignoring the complaint, IRCTC replied with a calm but powerful explanation. They clarified that ads on the platform are not manually selected by Railways.
They stated that IRCTC uses Google’s AdX service, which displays ads based on the user’s browsing history, cookies, and online behaviour. In short—ads are shown according to what the user has been searching or viewing online.
IRCTC advised the man to clear his browsing history and cookies to stop such ads from appearing.
Internet Applauds IRCTC
The reply became a talking point on social media. Many users praised Railways for giving a logical and honest answer. People even jokingly suggested that the complaint revealed more about the user’s browsing habits than about IRCTC.
The moment turned into a light-hearted but informative social media lesson.
Railways Focused on Bigger Goals
While this incident went viral, Indian Railways was—and still is—working on major long-term plans. One of the biggest visions discussed was making Indian Railways the world’s first 100% Green Railways.
Key steps included:
- Increasing use of solar energy
- Setting up solar panels on unused railway land
- Electrification of train routes
- Exploring biodiesel usage
According to earlier statements by Railway officials, these projects aim to reduce pollution, save costs, and modernize the network.
A Reminder for Digital Users
This incident taught an important point:
Ads on digital platforms are often based on our own browsing patterns— not the platform’s personal choice. Clearing cookies, using incognito mode, or adjusting ad settings can change what ads appear.
Conclusion
Indian Railways turned a complaint into a smart educational moment. Instead of reacting defensively, IRCTC explained how online ads work and helped users understand digital advertising better. The Internet appreciated their clarity—and had a good laugh too. Meanwhile, Railways continues its mission to modernize and go green, focusing on the future of transportation in India.
FAQs
What caused the vulgar ads to appear?
The ads were shown based on the user’s browsing history and cookies, not directly by IRCTC.
Did IRCTC remove the ads?
No specific ads were removed. Instead, IRCTC advised clearing browsing data to change ad results.
Does IRCTC choose the ads manually?
No. Ads are served through Google’s ad system, which targets users based on their behaviour.
What is the Green Railways plan?
It’s a long-term project aiming to make Indian Railways fully environment-friendly using solar power, electrification, and clean fuel.
Is Indian Railways really working on solar power?
Yes. Plans include solar installations on unused land and along railway tracks to generate clean energy.