Railways are the largest and popular transport medium in a large country like India. Crores of people travel from Indian Railways daily. In such a situation, there is always a demand for facilities, especially the lower berth. Lower berth means the seat below the train-which is easy to climb-especially for senior citizens, women and disabled travelers.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has taken an important decision on this issue, which is going to provide great relief to these special passengers.
What is a new decision regarding lower berth?
According to the Railway Minister, now the priority of lower berths in the train will be given only to passengers of certain categories, ensuring that those who need this facility the most, they get it. These mainly include three classes:
Senior citizens
Differently abled passengers
Women, especially pregnant women and women traveling alone
It is not possible for everyone to get lower berths
The Railway Minister has made it clear that the number of lower berths is limited, so it is not possible to give it to all passengers. However, the Railways is trying its best to ensure that those who need it most most, they should be given this facility first.
How much lower berths are there in the coach?
The number of lower berths in different classes and coaches of trains is limited. The figures below will give you a clear picture:
Sleeper coach (sl):
Each coach has about 6 to 7 lower berths.
Third AC (3AC):
Every coach has 4 to 5 lower seats available.
Second AC (2AC):
There are only 3 to 4 lower berths.
Third AC Economy and Chair Car:
Especially 4 lower berths are reserved for disabled travelers.
Railways has clarified that disabled travelers are always given priority, so that they do not have trouble climbing during the journey. The sleeper coach has 2 lower berths and 4 berths in third AC and Economy are particularly reserved for them.
Relief for senior citizens
The Railway Minister said that if a senior citizen is on the middle or upper berth and the lower berth is empty during the journey, then he will be given that seat on a priority basis. The same rule will also apply to pregnant women and disabled travelers. This will ensure that the needy passengers remain in a comfortable position during the journey.
What will happen at the time of ticket booking?
The reservation system of the railway is also being updated according to this decision. Now while booking tickets, if passengers give details related to senior citizens, disabled or women category in their profiles, then the system will try to allot the lower birth automatically.
