Lok Sabha Question No. 5497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-25
Subject: Facilities for Senior Citizens
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Ramashankar  Vidharthi Rajbhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5497

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026

## FACILITIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

## †5497. SHRI RAMASHANKAR VIDHARTHI RAJBHAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  facilities  currently  being  provided  to  senior  citizens for rail travel;
- (b) the basis on which the maximum number of waiting tickets in a train is determined  and  whether  it  is  decided  in  view  of  the  seat  capacity, coach composition and passenger demand and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the  details  of  the  criteria  for  setting  waiting  limits  in  various  classes and the arrangements for adding additional coaches or running special trains in case of excessive waiting lists?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c):  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.
- (ii) 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 of age and above and pregnant women.

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- (iii) Allotment of lower berths falling vacant in the train to senior citizens, Persons  with  Disabilities  (PwDs)  or  pregnant  women  (who  have  been allotted middle/upper berth) on priority.
- (iv)  Wheelchairs are provided by Railways and are given to attendants of the PwD, senior citizens etc. free of cost to escort them from and to the trains. However, whenever attendants are not available, Sahayaks (licensed porters/coolies) can be hired on per-fixed nominal rate to escort the PwD etc.
- (v) Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs) are provided at major railway stations to passengers on 'first come first serve' basis with due preference to PwDs, senior  citizens,  sick  passengers  and  pregnant  women.  This  facility  is provided 'free of cost' through Corporate Social Responsibility/Sponsorship and on chargeable basis through service provider.

On Indian Railways, the demand pattern of reserved accommodation varies over lean and peak periods. Moreover, the trains running on popular routes are generally well patronized while accommodation is generally available in  other  trains.  Waiting  list  position  of  all  the  trains  running  on  Indian Railways  is  monitored  on  regular  basis.  In  order  to  cater  to  additional demand,  Indian  Railways  also  operates  Special  train  services  during festivals,  holidays  etc.  and  augments  the  load  of  trains  to  generate additional  accommodation  for  different  segments  of  passengers,  both  on permanent and temporary basis. Accordingly, in the current financial year (upto  February,  2026),  860  coaches  have  been  utilized  for  permanent augmentation  and 152415  trips of  coaches  have  been  attached on temporary  basis.  Further,  special  trains  as  below  have  been  operated across  the  Indian  Railways  network,  to  facilitate  the  passengers  during Summer/winter vacations:

| Year                     | No. of trips   |
|--------------------------|----------------|
| 2023-24                  | ~ 40,500       |
| 2024-25                  | ~ 85,400       |
| 2025-26 (upto Feb, 2026) | ~ 74,800       |

Further, the waiting list limits have been rationalized linking it to the extent of reserved accommodation of the class available in the train.

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