The Railway Board has directed all railway zones to increase the reservation quota for senior citizens, pregnant women and women passengers aged above 45 in every sleeper-class coach.
This is in compliance with the promise made by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu. The enhanced quota is four berths for each of the three categories.
Two lower berths for each category were earmarked in every sleeper class, 3 AC and 2 tier air-conditioned coach from April 2007. 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 is applicable only for sleeper-class coaches that have 72 berths. The Board has authorised the travelling ticket examiners in trains to allot vacant lower berths to senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities on priority. The passenger has to make a specific request with the examiner and the allotment would be made on first come, first served basis.
The Board has also directed the railway zones to continue with earmarking six berth compartments in sleeper coaches of long distance mail/express trains for women passengers. Such compartments should be located in the middle of each coach. Also, berths earmarked for senior citizens should be in the middle of the coach, as far as possible, the Board said.
Two lower berths each per coach reserved for senior citizens, women aged above 45, and pregnant women in sleeper, 3 AC and 2 AC coaches
Ticket checking staff can allot vacant lower berths to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women on first-come-first-serve basis