Rlys earmarks berths for women

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 30

Indian Railways has announced a slew of special facilities for women in trains, including keeping four lower berths exclusively for them in each reserved sleeper coach and two in each AC coach.

The decision, according to a statement issued by the Indian Railways, was taken in view of Section 58 of the Railways Act that provides for “earmarking of accommodation for female passengers in trains”.

Accordingly, a reservation quota of six berths for women in sleeper class in long-distance Mail/Express trains has been fixed. 

“A combined quota of four lower berths in each coach of sleeper class and two lower berth per coach in Air-Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and Air-Conditioned 2 tier (2AC) classes have been fixed for woman passengers of 45 years of age and above and pregnant women when travelling alone,” the Railways said in the statement.

It went on to add that in case of Rajdhani, Duronto and fully Air-Conditioned/Express trains, “the number of berths to be earmarked under this quota in 3AC is four lower berths per coach as against three”.

In the statement, the Railways, however, contended that earmarking of accommodation for different categories of passengers, including women passengers, “is done based on demand pattern and availability of accommodation, which is a continuous and ongoing process”. 

Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain — in a written reply — informed Lok Sabha that ladies-special trains, which are running in metropolitan cities, are being escorted by women RPF personnel. “The train escorting parties have been briefed to keep extra vigil on the ladies coaches en route and at halting stations in long-distance trains,” he added.