Complying with the promise made by Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu to enhance the quota of lower berths for senior citizens, pregnant women and women passengers aged above 45, the Railway Board has directed all zonal Railways to increase the quota to four each berths in every sleeper class coach.
The enhanced quota has come into effect from April 1. Hitherto, two lower berths each were being earmarked in each sleeper class, 3-tier air conditioned and 2-tier air conditioned coaches since April 2007 for these three categories. The quota is available for targeted passengers who are travelling alone and can be availed while booking the advance journey ticket.
The present enhancement of quota however is applicable only for sleeper class coaches, which have 72 berths. Since the number of air-conditioned coaches attached to every train and the number of berths (62 in 3-AC and 40 in 2-AC) are less, the Railways did not enhance the quota in these categories, sources in the Railways said.
At the same time, the Board has authorised the travelling ticket examiners in the trains to allot vacant lower berths to senior citizens, pregnant women and physically handicapped persons on priority basis. The passenger concerned has to make a specific request with the TTE in this regard and the allotment would be made on first come first served basis, the Board said.
Meanwhile, the Board has directed the zonal Railways to continue with earmarking six berth compartments in sleeper coaches of long distance mail/ express trains for women passengers. Such compartment should be located in the middle of the each coach, the Board said. Also, berths earmarked for senior citizens should also be in the middle of the coach, as far as possible, it said.
HIGHLIGHTS
* Two lower berths each per coach were reserved for senior citizens, female passengers aged above 45 and pregnant women in sleeper, 3-AC and 2-AC coaches since April 2007
* Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu had promised to enhance this quota during the 2015-16 Railway Budget
* The Railway Board has ordered to increase the quota in sleeper coaches to four each lower berths with effect from April 1
* In addition, ticket checking staff can allot vacant lower berths to senior citizens, physically handicapped persons and pregnant women on first come first served basis