Lok Sabha Question No. 1069 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Concessions to Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, DILIP KUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI, P.P. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1069 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## CONCESSIONS TO PASSENGERS

†1069.      SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI: SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI: SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of special trains introduced in the country during last three  years and the details of special facilities offered to the passengers of these trains;
- (b)  the  number  of  passenger  above  sixty  years  old  travelled  in these special trains in the last three years;
- (c)  whether  these  passengers  were  not  provided  with  old  age concessions; and
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor and the rules under which old age concessions were not provided?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  RAPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  To  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1069 BY SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA, SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, SHRI DILIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI AND SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  02.03.2016  REGARDING CONCESSIONS TO PASSENGERS.

(a) The details of approximate total number of special trains run during the last three years is as under:-

| Year    |   Special trains (In trips) |
|---------|-----------------------------|
| 2012-13 |                       39721 |
| 2013-14 |                       41386 |
| 2014-15 |                       41062 |

During  last  3  years,  following  new  types  of  rakes  have  been introduced:

1. LHB type Mail & Express rakes: These have LHB AC as well as non-AC coaches, with higher carrying capacity, when compared with similar coaches  of ICF design conventional type of coaches. Besides, these are safer and have better ride quality.
2. LHB  AC  Double  Decker  rakes:  Coaches  of  these  rakes  have higher  carrying  capacity  when  compared  with  LHB  Shatabdi type coaches.
3. Model rake: Model rake coaches have additional amenities:
- i. Aesthetically appealing toilet modules provided with enhanced passenger amenities -big mirror, platform washbasin, controlled discharged water tap, odour control system, exhaust fan, LED lights, dustbin inside the toilet.
- ii. Ergonomically designed Ladders.
- iii. Snack tables provided for side berth passengers also.
- iv. Windows  with  powered  venetian  blind  provided  in  FAC coaches and roller blind in ACCW coaches.
- v. Composite panels without visible screws.
- vi. Provision of dustbin in all coaches.
- vii. Enhanced  scale  of  light  fittings  including  berth  reading lights in GSCN Coaches and embarking light in all classes of coaches.
- viii. LED based berth indicators for reserved coaches.
- ix. Provision  of  Passenger  Address  system  &  Passenger Information System in all the coaches.
- x. The  scale  of  mobile/  laptop  charging  points  have  been increased in all classes of coaches.
- xi. Use of LED Lighting.
- xii. Shifting of electrical junction points from passenger area to non-passenger area for enhanced safety.
- xiii. Use of e-beam cables and polyamide conduits for enhanced electrical and fire safety.
17. xiv.
18. Provision of fire extinguisher in all coaches.
- xv. Provision of electrically operated chimney in Pantry Car.
20. xvi.
21. Stainless steel panelling in Luggage Compartment of SLR.

Besides above, exterior and interior colour scheme of the coaches has also been changed to impart more pleasing feel to passengers.

- (b) Total number of senior citizen passengers, who got senior citizen concessions in the Railway fare during last three years

are  as  under  (For  all  trains  including  special  trains  in  which concession is permissible):

| Years   |   Reserved (PRS) crores |   Unreserved (UTS) crores |   Total crores |
|---------|-------------------------|---------------------------|----------------|
| 2012-13 |                    3.69 |                      4.36 |           8.05 |
| 2013-14 |                    3.97 |                      4.57 |           8.54 |
| 2014-15 |                    4.31 |                      4.93 |           9.24 |

- (c) & (d): The following types of special trains are running over Indian Railways:-
- (A) On  Normal  fare  similar  to  regular  Time  Tabled  trains with concessions to all the eligible categories of passengers:
- (i) Unreserved special train for all distances including Jansadharan Express.
- (ii) To clear passengers due to hold up of traffic on account of incidents  like  accidents,  floods,  breaches,  line  blocks, cancellation of trains etc.
- (B) Suvidha trains on variable fare structures with no concessions.
- (C) Special trains on special charges with no concessions.

In case of special trains on normal fare structures, all the concessions are permissible as per Rule.

In case of trains having higher fare/variable fare structure  for  reserved  class,  no  concession  is  permissible  as per Rule. However,  unreserved  class  of  special  train  on  special charges and Suvidha trains are charged on the normal Mail/Express superfast fares. *****