Railways Rules Update
New Delhi
The Indian Railways has introduced new rules to make booking lower berths easier and more passenger-friendly. The move aims to help senior citizens, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, who often face difficulties getting lower berths.
Under the revised system, lower berths will be automatically allotted to female passengers above 45 years, senior citizens, and specially-abled travellers based on availability. Ticket-checking staff can also reassign vacant lower berths to eligible passengers if they are initially given middle or upper berths.
The Railways has also modified rules for sleeping arrangements. Passengers can use their berths for sleeping only between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. During the rest of the day, berths are to be shared for seating. For Reservation against Cancellation (RAC) passengers, the side-lower berth will be shared with the side-upper passenger during daytime travel. However, between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, the lower berth is reserved only for its allotted passenger.
Additionally, Railways’ new RailOne app now enables users to check services, book seats, and track journeys easily. The provision for opting for a lower berth while booking will depend strictly on its availability.
Officials said the updated rules are designed to create a more comfortable and inclusive experience for travellers, ensuring fairness and convenience in seat allocation. The Indian Railways hopes these changes will simplify the booking process and improve travel comfort for all passengers.
