New Delhi: The Indian Railways on Wednesday raised quotas for senior citizens, women of 45 years and above and pregnant passengers, as promised by Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu in the railway budget for 2016-17. The increase will be effective from 1 April.
The quota will increase from two berths per coach in sleeper class to six lower berths per coach in the sleeper class, railways board member (traffic) Mohd Jamshed said.
For 3AC and 2AC classes, the quota has been increased to three lower berths per coach in all express and superfast trains. In the case of Rajdhani and Duronto, which are fully air-conditioned express trains, the quota in 3AC class will be four lower berths per coach.
Besides, Indian Railways has also decided to change the norms for availing of these quotas. Earlier, the condition of providing senior citizens’ and women’s quota was that the passenger should be travelling alone. However, now people travelling in groups or with family can also avail of the quota.
[“Source-Livemint”]