The Indian Railways has introduced a major update to its passenger reservation system, making train travel more comfortable and accessible for senior citizens, women, and differently-abled passengers.
Under the revised rules, lower berths will now be automatically reserved for specific passenger categories - including senior citizens, women aged 45 years and above, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities - provided such berths are available at the time of booking.
In a move towards passenger convenience, the Railways has also launched a new feature in its IRCTC booking system that allows travellers to select "Book only if lower berth is available" while purchasing tickets online. If no lower berth is available, the system will automatically cancel the booking request, ensuring that passengers who cannot climb upper berths are not inconvenienced.
The revised system ensures that when lower berths are available, they are first allotted to eligible passengers. In cases where these berths are unavailable during booking, ticket checking staff (TTEs) have been instructed to reassign lower berths to priority passengers during travel if any suitable berth becomes vacant.
Officials stated that the move aims to bring more sensitivity and inclusivity to train travel. The new lower berth rules are designed to provide comfort and safety to passengers who face mobility challenges.
According to the Indian Railways, this rule revision is part of its ongoing effort to enhance passenger experience and inclusivity in public transport. The initiative also supports the government's Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), aimed at improving mobility for differently-abled citizens.
The Railways has also directed zonal authorities to monitor the allocation of lower berths closely and take corrective action if discrepancies are reported.
Women aged 45 years and above, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will automatically be given preference for lower berths. Pregnant women may request special accommodation by showing valid medical documentation. Passengers can now opt for "lower berth only" during online booking via the IRCTC website or mobile app. In case of unavailability, passengers can still proceed with regular berths if they deselect the lower berth-only option.
The move has been widely appreciated by passengers' associations, especially those representing senior citizens and women commuters. Travel experts say the change was long overdue, as climbing upper berths has been a persistent challenge for older travellers and those with mobility issues.
With this update, the Indian Railways hopes to create a more equitable travel experience for millions of passengers who depend on its services daily.