Indian Railway New Rule: Indian Railways has recently implemented an important rule regarding the allocation of lower berths which will prove to be a big change for the passengers. Till now, most of the passengers traveling by train used to book early to get the lower seat, but under the new rule, only early booking will not be enough. Railways has taken this decision especially keeping in mind the convenience of those passengers who really need the lower berth.
Priority categories
According to the new rule, lower berths will be given to mainly three categories of passengers on priority basis. These include senior citizens above sixty years of age, women above forty-five years of age and Divyang passengers. The railways believe that it is difficult for these passengers to climb to the upper berths and this decision has been taken keeping in mind their safety and comfort. With this arrangement, these special category passengers will get better facilities during the journey.
New Quota System and Allocation Process
Railways has set different quotas for lower berths in different classes of coaches. Six to seven lower berths will be reserved in each coach in sleeper class, four to five in AC III class and three to four in AC II. The allocation will be done through an automated system which will give priority to passengers of the specified class. Whether passengers fill the berth preference or not, the system will automatically allocate lower berths to passengers of the appropriate class.
The purpose behind enacting the rule
The main objective of implementing this new rule is to improve the safety and convenience of passengers. Climbing to the upper berth can sometimes be dangerous for senior citizens and women. For Divyang passengers, this is almost impossible. Earlier, these passengers had to request the ticket checker or other passengers to change seats, which often caused embarrassment. The new system will provide a permanent solution to this problem.
Impact on general commuters
This new rule may cause some challenges for general passengers. If you do not fall in the specified category, it may be difficult to get a lower berth. However, if the seats reserved for priority category passengers are not filled by the time of booking, they may be available to other passengers as well. Booking early and filling the berth priority correctly will still be beneficial.
Procedure for obtaining benefits
If you fall in the specified category, you do not need to take any special action. If you leave the berth preference option blank while booking the ticket, the system will automatically allot you a lower berth. If for some reason this facility is not available, you can contact the station help desk or railway helpline.
Indian Railways is constantly striving to improve its services. Digital ticketing, paperless boarding and now improvements in berth allocation are steps taken in this direction. In the coming time, Railways may introduce more such facilities which will give priority to the safety and convenience of passengers with special needs. This initiative is an important step towards making Indian Railways even more passenger friendly.
Disclaimer: This article is written for the purpose of providing general information. Railway policies and rules keep changing from time to time. Before booking any journey please confirm the latest information from the official website of Indian Railways or helpline number 139.
