Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Concession in Railway Fare to Senior Citizens
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Shri S Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 231 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## CONCESSION IN RAILWAY FARE TO SENIOR CITIZENS

## *231.  SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

SHRI S VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  number  of  senior  citizens  who  travelled  via  Indian  Railways during  each  of  the  last  five  years,  State  and  district-wise  especially  from State of Andhra Pradesh and Prakasam district;
- (b) the details of provisions made in trains and at stations for the welfare of senior citizens across the country during the last five years along with funds allocated/utilised for the same;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  considered  re-instating  railway  fare concessions  for  senior  citizens  across  the  country  when  they  travel  via Indian Railways;
- (d) if so, the details regarding the proposed timeline for the implementation of such concessions and the amount of concessions to be given, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  total  amount  saved  by  the  Railways  due  to  the  withdrawal  of concessions to Senior citizens in train fare during the financial years from 2020-21 to 2023-24, year-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 231 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024.

(a)  to  (e)  During  the  financial  years  2020-21  to  2024-25  (upto  October 2024)  approximately  2230.7  crore  passengers  of  all  ages  (including senior citizens) travelled both in reserved and unreserved classes.

Indian Railways continuously strive to provide various facilities for the  convenience  of  passengers  including  senior  citizens.  Some  of  the facilities extended to senior citizens are as under:-

- (i) Allotment of lower berths to Senior Citizens, Female passengers of 45 years and above automatically, even if no choice is given, subject to availability.
- Earmarking  of  a  combined  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) for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years
- (ii) of age and above and pregnant women.
- (iii) Earmarking of unreserved accommodation for senior citizens in the local train services on suburban sections of Zonal Railways.
- (iv) Allotment  of  lower  berths  falling  vacant  in  the  train  to senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities or pregnant women  (who  have  been  allotted  middle/upper  berth)  on priority.
- (v) Earmarking  of  separate  counters  at  various  Passenger Reservation System  (PRS) centres of Indian Railways, keeping in view the demand pattern.
- (vi) Provision of wheel chairs at stations.
- (vii) Provision of Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs) at some stations for Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans), sick passengers and pregnant women.
- Provision  of  ramps,  lifts,  escalators,  signages,  May  I  Help
- (viii) Booths, etc. at various stations.

Apart  from  above  Indian  Railways  continuously  envisages improvement  of  amenities  for  passengers  with  reduced  mobility through  provision  of  ramps,  accessible  parking,  lifts,  escalators among others.

The  provision/upgradation  of  various  passenger  amenities  at stations including the amenities for senior citizens is a continuous and  ongoing  process.  Works  in  this  regard  are  undertaken  as  per requirement  and  availability  of  funds  under  Plan  Head-53  which includes passenger amenities works. A total allocation of ₹15,510.75 crore has been made under Plan Head-53 for the current financial year.

Indian  Railways  strives  to  provide  affordable  services  to  all strata of the society and  gave  subsidy of ₹56,993  crore on passenger tickets in 2022-23. 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.

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