The Indian Railways has recently issued new rules for booking lower berths on trains operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The railway has changed the rule for the allocation of lower berths in trains to ensure greater comfort and convenience for passengers.
Under the new rule, passengers who are above the age of 60 years, pregnant women, and women traveling alone will be given preference for booking lower berths. In addition, those with disabilities and those with children below the age of five will also be given preference for the lower berth.
The railway authorities have made these changes in response to feedback from passengers who have complained of discomfort and inconvenience while traveling in trains. The changes will help to ensure that passengers who need the lower berth the most are given priority in the booking process.
Passengers who do not fall under the above categories will be allotted upper or middle berths, depending on availability. However, if there are no other berths available, they will be allotted a lower berth as per the previous rules.
The new rule will apply to all trains operated by the IRCTC, including the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto express trains. Passengers can book their tickets online through the IRCTC website or through authorized agents.
The IRCTC has also announced that passengers can now change their boarding station online up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. This will be particularly useful for those who have had a change in their travel plans or have missed their original boarding station.
