Lok Sabha Question No. 1736 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-27
Subject: Increase in Coaches for Women
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR, George Baker

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1736

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2016

## INCREASE IN COACHES FOR WOMEN

1736. SHRI NAGAR RODMAL: SHRI GEORGE BAKER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of coaches of the trains running in the country;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  planning/considering  to  increase  the number  of  coaches  of  the  trains  especially  for  women  due  to  the increasing number of passengers in the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise;
- (d) the details of recommendations received by the Government from the various quarters during the last three years and the current year and the action taken thereon; and
- (e) the budget sanctioned/likely to be sanctioned for this purpose and the time by which it is likely to be increased?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) As  on  31.03.2016,  the  holding  of  coaches  (excluding  EMU,  MEMU and DEMU) over Indian Railways is about 53000. This is being utilized over Indian Railways.
- (b) to (d) To facilitate female passengers, following facilities have been provided:

(i)  In  Sleeper  Class  coach,  reservation  quota  of  6  berths  has  been earmarked  in  Mail/Express  trains  on  non-suburban  section  for  ladies irrespective of age travelling alone or in a group of female passengers.

(ii) As per announcement of Rail Budget, 2016-17, Lower Berth quota in 2A, 3A  and  Sleeper  classes  has  been  increased  by  50%.  Now,  in  all  trains having reserved sleeping accommodation, a combined quota of six lower berths per coach in Sleeper class and three lower berths per coach in AC 3 tier and AC 2 tier classes has been earmarked for Senior Citizens, Female passenger  45  years  of  age  and  above,  and  Pregnant  women.  In  case  of Rajdhani, Duronto and fully Air Conditioned/Express trains, the number of lower berths to be earmarked under this quota in 3 AC class are four per coach.

(iii) In most of the long distance Mail/Express trains, unreserved accommodation is earmarked for ladies.

(iv)  Separate  compartments/coaches  have  been  earmarked  in  suburban trains for exclusive use of ladies passengers.

(v) During the Financial Year 2015-16, 28 Lakh berths under Ladies quota and 1.42 Crore berths under Senior Citizen quota were earmarked whose utilization was 85% and 86% respectively.

(vi)  Whenever  recommendations  are  received  from  various  quarters  for increasing the number of coaches of the trains, they are examined, and to meet  the  increased  demand    various  measures  are  taken  which  include introduction  of  new  trains,  enhancement  of  the  composition  of  more popular trains, attachment of extra coaches in the existing trains, running of  special  trains  for  clearance  of  extra  passengers  traffic  during  peak seasons,  festivals,  special  events  etc.  keeping  in  view  the  pattern  of traffic, commercial  justification, operational  feasibility, availability of resources etc. Specific details of such recommendations, however is not maintained.

(e) No such separate sanction is made for this purpose.

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