IRCTC Allots Upper Berth to Senior Citizen on Patna-Delhi Train: 'What Kind Of System Is This?'

A woman booked three train tickets for a journey from Patna to Delhi, selecting two lower and one side lower berth as two women and a senior citizen were travelling. However, instead of the requested seats, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) allotted her one middle and two upper berths. What’s more, the train had more than 200 seats available at the time of booking, yet the senior citizen was not allotted the lower berth.

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“I booked 3 tickets on train number 12309 from Patna to Delhi for October 10 for my in-laws. I specifically chose one side lower and two lower berths, but instead, I was allotted two upper and one middle berth,” Nidhi Shree told News18.com.

She explained, “I didn’t use the senior citizen quota because there were over 200 seats available on the train, and only one of the travellers qualifies as a senior citizen.”

“I had selected lower berths for my mother-in-law and father-in-law, and a side lower for my sister-in-law. But after booking, my 61-year-old father-in-law and 23-year-old sister-in-law were assigned upper berths, while my 54-year-old mother-in-law was given the middle berth,” she added.

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When she filed a complaint with IRCTC and Indian Railways helpline number 139, she was informed that lower and side lower berths were unavailable, which is why she was assigned upper and middle berths. She questioned, “What kind of system is this? There are still more than 200 seats available on the train, yet senior citizen was allotted upper berth.”

Shree shared her ordeal online and tagged IRCTC and Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in her post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Take a look at the post here:

RailwaySeva, the official X handle for support to passengers, replied to her post and explained, “In the computerised reservation system of Indian Railways, there is a provision for allotting lower berth automatically to senior citizens and female passengers above the age of 45 years or pregnant women. It is, however, subject to availability of such lower berths at the time of booking.”

“In the trains also, ticket checking staff is authorised to allot lower berths falling vacant to such senior citizens who have been allotted middle/upper berths due to non-availability of lower berths at the time of booking,” it added.

It further read, “It is also informed that at the time of booking reserved tickets through internet, there is a provision to opt for booking only if lower berth is available. In such case, ticket shall be booked only if lower berth is available.”