No More Struggle for Lower Berths! Railways Eases IRCTC Rules for Senior Citizens, Pregnant Travellers

Latest IRCTC Rules: Indian Railways has reportedly eased the train reservation system to ensure that senior citizens and expectant mothers can automatically get a lower berth while making train reservations.

As per the revised IRCTC rules, the Indian Railways strengthened its facilities for senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, pregnant passengers, visually impaired travellers and persons with disabilities, according to a report by Economic Times.

Automatic Lower Berth Allotments

As per the revised IRCTC rules, senior citizens, women aged 45 years and above, pregnant passengers, and visually impaired train passengers will be automatically alloted lower berth seats. This would ensure that the passengers don't end up suffering because of middle and upper berth seat allocation.

Dedicated Coaches, Reserved Quotas

In addition to automatic lower berth allocation, the department has also brought reserved quotas across classes, dedicated coaches for Divyangjan, and integrated Braille signage, etc for the convenience of passengers.

The Indian Railways allows train ticket booking via IRCTC application under Ladies, senior citizen and person with disability quota. Even while making train seat reservation under the quote, passengers were required to add their seat preference.

Now, senior citizens and women aged 45 and other categories mentioned earlier will be automatically allotted lower berths based on availability. This will be done even when they don't make specific choice at the time of train ticket booking.

Mandatory Reserve Seats In Every Coach

To ensure that senior citizens and woman passengers (above 45 years) can easily get lower berth on train ticket reservation, there will be special earmarked seats for the said category.

Each coach of sleeper class, will have 6-7 lower berths reserved, 3AC coaches will have 4-5 lower berths earmarked, and 2 AC coaches will have 3-4 lower berths earmarked for senior citizens and other category passengers, reported ET.
The number of reserved berths can vary depending on the train availability and passenger traffic.

RailOne

The Indian Railways recently launched an all-in-one application, RailOne, for train ticket booking. The application ensures that customers can book train tickets for reserved seats or buy a general ticket or even passenger ticket.

The RailOne application also ensures that passengers can track a train's live status or even book tatkal tickets. Additionally, the application also officers facilities related to online food booking, cancellation of train, and PNR inquiry.

The RailOne app also offers facilities like filing a refund, tracking train, or checking the coach position before the arrival of the train. People can also keep a track of their travel history if they book all their train tickets via RailOne. The application showcases history of booked reserve tickets, and completed journeys.