Automatic lower berth allocation for senior citizens and women aged 45 and above, based on availability: Vaishnaw

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply on Friday that the allotment of lower berths to senior citizens and female passengers aged 45 years and above is done automatically based on availability, even if passengers do not explicitly choose the option while booking.

Highlighting measures to support senior citizens and passengers with disabilities, Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways reserves 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.

These berths are specifically earmarked for senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, and pregnant women.


Reserved Quota for Persons With Disabilities
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]