Reserving lower berths for senior citizens has always been a problem. Even after choosing a lower berth while reserving, the passenger is not given the seat of their choice. This compels elderly citizens and females to ask other passengers to change seats, depending completely on the other passenger’s goodwill. In order to solve this problem, Indian Railways has come up with new regulations to give priority to lower berth allotment to specific groups of passengers.
Automatic Lower Berth Allotment
Indian Railways has now introduced an automatic lower berth allotment system to ensure smoother journeys for senior citizens, women, and differently-abled people. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement recently in the Lok Sabha.
As per the new system, pregnant women, women over 45 years, men over 60 years, and women over 58 years will be automatically given lower berth allotment at the time of ticket booking. However, the allotment is subject to the availability of lower berths in the concerned train and coach class.
To ensure availability, a certain number of lower berths are kept reserved in various coach classes:
- Sleeper class: 6 to 7 lower berths
- Third AC: 4 to 5 lower berths
- Second AC: 3 to 4 lower berths
Depending on the total number of coaches in a train, the number of reserved berths will vary.
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Special Quota For The Disabled
Indian Railways has also reserved berths for the disabled in every express and mail train, including deluxe trains like Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express.
Four lower berths in sleeper class, three AC compartments and four seats in the reserved second sitting and AC chair car will be reserved for disabled persons
This programme makes sure that disabled passengers can travel comfortably and safely without having to hunt for an appropriate seat.
In case any of the lower berths become free during the trip, preference will be given to senior citizens, pregnant women, and disabled passengers who might have been assigned middle or upper berths initially. If further requests for lower berths are made, they will be attended to only after satisfying the priority passenger requirements.
These changes are the result of Indian Railways’ initiative to enhance the experience of the passengers and provide the lower berths to the people who require them the most without any inconvenience.
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Did you or your family members ever have a hard time getting a lower berth while travelling?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (For Representation)
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