Lok Sabha Question No. 4085 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-10
Subject: Vacant Berths in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4085

## LOK SABHA ANSWERED ON 10.08.2016

## VACANT BERTHS IN TRAINS

## †4085.  SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  inspite  of  the  vacant  berths  in  various  train, the same are not made available to the passengers;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the information about vacant berths is proposed to be displayed on trains and at platforms;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  reservations  of  berths/seats  is  closed  much before  the  departure  of  the  train  particularly  in  Jan Shatabdi Express in South East Central Railways due to which there has been shortfall in the revenue; and
- (f) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the Railways  to  increase  the  revenue  and  improve  the passenger amenities?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4085 BY SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.08.2016 REGARDING VACANT BERTHS IN TRAINS.

- (a)  &  (b):  The  vacant  berths  available  in  the  train  are allotted  by  onboard  ticket  checking  staff  to  Reservation Against  Cancellation  (RAC)/waiting  list  passengers  as  per prescribed guidelines.
- (c)  &  (d):    The  information  regarding  vacant  berths  is provided  on  the  Railways'  website  as  well  as  website  of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at the  internet  and  it  can  also  be  checked  at  computerised Passenger Reservation System(PRS) counters till preparation  of  second  reservation  chart.    The  information regarding vacant berths is also displayed in the reservation charts pasted at the platform as well as on the coaches.
- (e)  &  (f):    After  streamlining  of  reservation  system  in November 2015, vacant berths available in the train can be booked even after preparation of first reservation chart up to preparation of second reservation chart from any computerised PRS counters of Indian Railways or through internet. The second reservation chart is generally prepared any time from 30 minutes to 5 minutes before the scheduled  departure  of  train  and  hence,  there  cannot  be loss  of  revenue  on  account  of  closure  of  booking  of reserved  accommodation  much  before  departure of train.

However,  the  utilisation  of  reservation  quota  of  trains  is monitored  on  regular  basis  and  suitable  adjustments  are made  wherever  required.  Further,  waiting  list  of  trains  is also  monitored  on  regular  basis  and  with  a  view  to  meet the  demand,  load  of  trains  is  augmented,  frequency  of trains  increased,  special  trains  are  run  or  new  trains  are introduced  subject  to  operational  feasibility.  Taking  such measures, or improving passenger amenities is a continuous and ongoing process.

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