Increase In Coaches For Women
Increase In Coaches For Women
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.
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.
This Press Release is based on the information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Rajen Gohain in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 27.07.2016 (Wednesday).
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