Indian Railway Issued New Rules: Big News for Passengers
In a major announcement, the Indian Railway has issued new rules regarding the reservation of lower berths on trains. According to the new guidelines, the lower berth on trains will now be reserved for senior citizens, pregnant women, and passengers with disabilities.
The move is aimed at providing more convenience and comfort to these vulnerable groups of passengers while traveling on trains. Earlier, the lower berths were available on a first-come, first-served basis, which often led to a scramble for these seats.
As per the new rules, passengers who fall in the aforementioned categories will have the first right to reserve the lower berth. In case any of these passengers are not available, the berth will be allotted to the next person in line according to the usual booking procedure.
The Indian Railway has also made it mandatory for passengers to produce relevant documents to prove their eligibility for reserving the lower berth. For senior citizens, a government-issued ID card or a certificate from a registered medical practitioner will be required. Pregnant women will need to provide a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating the expected date of delivery. Similarly, passengers with disabilities will need to produce a certificate from a registered medical practitioner or a disability certificate.
The new rules will be implemented on all trains across the country from May 1, 2023. The Indian Railway has also stated that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating these guidelines.
This decision has been welcomed by passengers and disability rights groups, who have long been advocating for such measures to be implemented. They believe that this move will go a long way in making train travel more accessible and comfortable for senior citizens, pregnant women, and passengers with disabilities.
In conclusion, the Indian Railway’s decision to reserve lower berths for senior citizens, pregnant women, and passengers with disabilities is a welcome move that will make train travel more convenient and accessible for these vulnerable groups. The implementation of the new rules from May 1, 2023, will ensure that these passengers are given the first right to reserve the lower berth, providing them with much-needed comfort and convenience while traveling.