JOIN USReaching out to senior citizens, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday announced 50 % reservation of lower berths per coach for them.
In a bid to ensure security of women passengers, Prabhu said the middle bays in every coach will be reserved for the fairer sex.
The announcements made in the Railway Budget will lead to keeping aside 120 lower berths per train for senior citizens, who often experience difficulty in occupying the middle or the upper berths.
Prabhu said the Railways has already launched a 24/7 helpline – 182 – to provide better security to passengers, particularly women. In addition, as many as 311 railway stations have been brought under CCTV surveillance.
He said plans were being drawn to bring all major stations under CCTV surveillance in a phased manner.
The minister said the Railways will enforce reservation in catering units to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, women and differently-abled persons.
“We will also introduce a sub-quota of 33% for women in each of the reserved categories,” he said.
Prabhu said the Railways will also provide portable structures with bio-toilets at all platforms of select stations to meet the demand of senior citizens, differently-abled and women travellers.