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Thursday, Jan 01, 2009
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Third side berth in trains to go

Special Correspondent

It’s Lalu Prasad’s New Year gift to passengers

One of the problems for third berth passengers is the sitting space
Railways had failed to reprogram the ticket issuing software

NEW DELHI: As a New Year gift to passengers travelling in sleeper and AC 3 classes, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad on Wednesday ordered removal of the third side berth.

Mr. Prasad told The Hindu that he had directed the Railway Board to take a decision at the earliest in the wake of complaints of inconvenience to both the passengers and railway authorities.

Mr. Prasad said there was no point in continuing with the arrangement, particularly when it did not yield much revenue to the railways.

The Railways had introduced the third side berth recently with the Garib Rath series of trains. The arrangement was then launched in the newly constructed sleeper and AC 3 class bogies and some of the old ones that had been modified in a bid to increase the railways’ revenue.

One of the issues that caused much heartburn was the sitting space that had to be provided to the third berth passenger, not to talk of the problem that it caused to long distance travellers who had to squeeze themselves into their berths for a night’s sleep. It also frequently led to dispute among passengers and about their actual berth.

The railways failed to programme the ticket issuing software to indicate the third side berth. That was primarily because most of the sleeper and AC 3 coaches have only eight berths in each cubicle. The introduction of an additional berth threw the numbering system into disarray.

Reduction in fares

Mr. Prasad, however, ruled out lowering passenger fares in the wake of a reduction in fares by air operators and cut in diesel prices. “They had hiked the prices in the first place. We did not hike the fares when the price of diesel was raised.”

He asked the Railway Board chairman K.C. Jena at the farewell function of seven railways staff to redress the grievance of the assistant loco pilots who struck work on Tuesday protesting against the recommendation of the Sixth Pay commission.

The Railway Minister was categorical that their grades must be restored with commensurate pay scales as these personnel were performing a vital job.

Soothing words for pensioners

Mr. Prasad had soothing words for those taking superannuation. “Those who are good in their jobs will get offers. We also consult some of them. But you people will not have problems as you are all assured of a good pension.”

But he added a word of caution. “Don’t get too bogged down with the cares of your grandchildren … that will affect your longevity.”

Then came the parting line. “… You people are lucky as you work for such a long span of time. We are there just for five years. That is how things are …,” he chuckled.

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