Lok Sabha Question No. 3812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Railway Concessions and Quotas
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3812 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## RAILWAY CONCESSIONS AND QUOTAS

## 3812. ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of all concessions and quotas currently provided by the Railways, including their beneficiaries and applicable terms;
- (b) whether the Government is considering an increase in the number of seats reserved under the ladies' quota in trains, particularly to cater  to  the  growing  demand  and  enhance  safety  for  female passengers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Railways to address the concerns of accessibility  and  affordability  for  vulnerable  groups,  including women, senior citizens and economically weaker sections?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

( SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a):  Indian  Railways strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society and gave subsidy of ₹56,993 cr on passenger tickets in 202223.  This  amounts  to  concession  of  46%  on  an  average,  to  every  person, travelling on Railways. In other words for easier understanding, if the cost

of  providing  service  is  ₹100,  then  the  price  of  ticket  is  ₹54  only.  This subsidy is continuing for all passengers. Further, concessions beyond this subsidy  amount  are  continuing  for  many  categories  like  4  categories  of Persons  with  disabilities  (Divyangjans),  11  categories  of  patients  and  8 categories of students.

Further,  Indian  Railways  provide  various  types  of  reservation quotas  to  cater  to  different  segments  of  passengers,  some  of  which  are General, Tatkal, Defence, Senior Citizens, Ladies, Persons with Disabilities, Foreign Tourists, etc. The reservation quota earmarked for Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans), Foreign Tourists, Defence personnel  and  Ladies  passengers  can  be  booked  by  eligible  category  of passengers on first come first serve basis as per extant guidelines.

## (b) and (c): At present, following reserved accommodation is earmarked for female passengers:-

- I. A  reservation  quota  of  six  berths  in  sleeper  class  in  long  distance Mail/Express  trains  and  a  reservation  quota  of  six  berths  in  Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) class of Garib Rath/Rajdhani/Duronto/fully airconditioned  Express  trains  for  female  passengers  irrespective  of their age travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.
2. II.
3. A combined reservation quota of six to seven lower berths per coach in  sleeper  class,  four  to  five  lower  berths  per  coach  each  in  Air Conditioned 3 tier (3AC) and three to four lower berths per coach in Air  Conditioned  2  tier  (2AC)  classes  (depending  on  the  number  of coaches  of  that  class  in  the  train)  has  been  earmarked  for  senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above and pregnant women.

An analysis of the above reservation quotas during the financial year 2024-25 (upto November, 2024) has revealed that the existing provisions are adequate to cater to present level of traffic.

Apart  from  above,  there  are  also  provisions  of  separate  booking counters, wheel chair facilities, Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs), ramps, lifts,  escalators,  signages,  May  I  help  booths  etc  at  various  stations  for Vulnerable  groups  like  Women,  senior  citizens,  Persons  with  disabilities etc.

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