More lower berths for elderly, e-tickets easier for disabled

New Delhi, Feb 25: The Indian Railways is fulfilling its social obligations towards Divyang, senior citizens and women travellers, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Thursday while presenting the rail budget in the Lok Sabha.

Prabhu said that for Divyang (differently able), the railways have introduced one-time registration for availing concessions while booking tickets online, online booking of wheelchairs and Braille-enabled new coaches.

[Updates: Suresh Prabhu presents Rail Budget 2016]

Also, the quota of lower berths has been increased for senior citizens and women. [Railway Budget 2016: Highlights]

"In the coming financial year, the railways is increasing the senior citizen quota per coach by 50 percent, resulting in almost 120 lower berths per train for senior citizens," he said.

The minister said that in pursuance of the objectives of Accessible India campaign, Indian Railway will ensure that all stations under redevelopment are made disabled friendly.

He said that at least one disabled-friendly toilet on all platforms in A1-class stations will be built in the next financial year.

To make travel hassle-free for common man on dense routes, the railways would introduce a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service -- called Antyodaya Express -- on these routes, Prabhu said.

Besides, there would be more unreserved coaches in some long distance trains to enhance the carrying capacity. These coaches will also have facility for potable water and a higher number of mobile charging points, the minister said.

IANS