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The Indian Railways has implemented a system that automatically allocates lower berths to senior citizens and female passengers aged 45 years and above,
ensuring a more comfortable journey for those who may have difficulty climbing to upper berths. In a written reply, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday that the Indian Railways execute the policy automatically by the reservation system based on availability, even if the passengers do not explicitly select the lower berth option during booking. The measure is part of a broader set of provisions aimed at enhancing convenience and accessibility for vulnerable groups travelling by train.
Dedicated lower berth quota
To facilitate the automatic allotment and highlighting the measures to support senior citizens and passengers with disabilities, Vaishaw said the Indian Railways has reserved a specific combined quota of lower berths in various coach classes, earmarked for senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, and pregnant women.
He stated that there is a combined quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in sleeper class, four to five lower berths per coach in 3AC, and three to four lower berths per coach in 2AC.
Reserved quota for Persons With Disabilities (PWD)
Apart from general quota for seniors and women, special reservation provisions are in place for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and their attendants across.
The minister further noted that special reservation provisions for persons with disabilities and their attendants exist in all mail/express trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi services.
As per the allocation rules, “four berths each in sleeper and 3AC/3E class (including two lower and two middle berths) and four seats in reserved second sitting (2S)/air conditioned chair car (CC) are earmarked for them.”
He also added that if berths fall vacant during travel, priority is given to senior citizens, pregnant women, or disabled passengers who may have been allotted upper or middle berths initially.
Enhanced facilities and accessibility features
Vaishnaw highlighted several improvements aimed at enhancing passenger safety and comfort, particularly for differently-abled travellers.
"These coaches have wider entrance doors, wider berths, wider compartments, larger lavatory with wider doors, wheelchair parking area, etc. Inside the toilets, additional grab rails on the side walls for support and wash basin and mirror at a suitable height are also available," he said.
"For facilitating the visually impaired travellers, integrated Braille signage, ie, signage superimposed with Braille scripts, has also been provided. Modern Amrit Bharat and Vande Bharat trains have been designed keeping in view the needs of divyangjans. The first and last coaches of Vande Bharat trains have special provisions for wheelchair, divyangjan-friendly toilets with wider space etc," he added.
(With PTI inputs)
