Railways has decided to enhance the quota of lower berths for senior citizens and pregnant women in sleeper class coaches of its trains.
The quota which is automatically alloted to them through the passenger reservation system, will be raised from a combined quota of two lower berths per coach to four, said a statement issued by Railways.
There will, however, be no change in this quota being earmarked in 3A and 2A classes, it added.
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Railways has also decided that the existing reservation quota of six berths for female passengers being earmarked in long distance Mail/Express trains should made available in the middle of the coach.
To the extent feasible, the facility will be made available to the senior citizen and their quota would be earmarked in the middle of the coach, the statement said.
Currently, there is a provision in the computerised passenger reservation system to allot lower berth automatically to male passengers above 60 years and female passengers above 45 years subject to availability of the same at the time of booking of ticket.
As per the statement, instructions have also been issued to ticket checking staff to assist senior citizens and physically handicapped persons, who have been allotted middle/upper berths, by allotting them vacant lower berths available in the train on first come first serve basis.
