Railways declares changes in lower berth allocation rules; priority for senior citizens and women

It is quite a task booking lower berth seats for elderly people during train journeys. You might not be allotted your preferred seats even if you select lower berths while booking tickets. In such cases, the passengers, especially elderly people, are forced request other passengers to switch seats. They might get the lower berths only if the other passengers are willing to give up their seat. However, the railways have now introduced new rules regarding the allotment of lower berths.
A certain number of lower berth seats in all the compartments are reserved for senior citizens, women, and people with disabilities. The Indian Railways made this decision considering the discomfort senior citizens and women face when allotted upper or middle berths. The new changes are part of the railway’s efforts to enhance passenger experience, especially for elderly people.

Automatic allotment
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently told Lok Sabha about the Railways’ project to allot lower berths to senior citizens, women and people with disabilities. For this, the Indian Railway plans to launch an automatic allocation system. Pregnant women, women above 45 years old, men above 60 and women passengers above 58 will be automatically allotted lower berths while booking tickets. The allotment will be done based on the availability of the lower berths.

A certain number of lower berths in each coach would be reserved for elderly passengers. Meanwhile, six to seven lower berths in the sleeper class coaches would be reserved for older people, women, and people with disabilities. Four to five lower berth seats and three to four lower berths would be reserved in the third AC and second AC compartments, respectively. The reservation of these berths would depend upon the total number of coaches in a train.

Special quota for people with disability
The Indian Railways provide reservations for people with disabilities in all mail and express trains, including premium trains like Rajadhani Express and Shatabdi. Four berths in sleeper classes and three AC compartments have been allotted for them. Four seats are also kept aside in the reserved second sitting and air-conditioned chair car. By reserving berths, the railways aim to ensure safe and comfortable train journeys for people with disabilities.

In case lower berths become vacant during the journey, elderly people or pregnant women will be given priority. People with disabilities who have been allotted other berths will also be considered. If someone demands lower berths during the journey, they will be considered only after prioritizing senior citizens, women, and people with disabilities.