How lower berths are allocated in trains? Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, ‘senior citizens, 45-plus women…’

Introducing a wide range of facilities for all passengers, aiming to enhance comfort and convenience during their journeys, the minister said that a separate compartment has been earmarked for divyangjan in almost all mail/express trains.

In a major update, 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 of 45 years and above is automatically done, even if no choice is given by passengers, subject to availability.

Speaking about the facilities provided to the elderly and disabled, Vaishnaw mentions the reservation of a common allocation of a total of 6-7 lower berths per coach in sleeper class, 4-5 lower berths per coach in Air-conditioned 3 Tier (3AC) class as well as 3-4 lower berths per coach in Air-conditioned 2 Tier (2AC) class  (depending on the number of coaches of that class in the train) is done for senior citizens, female passengers aged 45 and above and pregnant women, as reported by news agency PTI.

Besides, he talked about the provisions of reservation quota for persons with disabilities and their attendants in all mail/express trains, including Rajdhani/Shatabdi type trains.

According to this, 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.

According to the minister, if any berth falls vacant in the train, it is allotted to senior citizens, persons with disabilities or pregnant women (who have been allotted middle/upper berth) on priority.

In addition to these new designs, Vaishnaw said that Indian Railways has created several different types of coaches that will provide greater safety and improve the travel experience for travellers by providing enhanced safety, convenience, and comfort.

Introducing a wide range of facilities for all passengers, aiming to enhance comfort and convenience during their journeys, the minister said that a separate compartment has been earmarked for divyangjan in almost all mail/express trains.

“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)