The journey aboard an Indian Railways train often involves sharing space, especially in 3-tier sleeper coaches. To ensure comfort and fairness among co-passengers, the Ministry of Railways has established clear guidelines regarding when a passenger may utilize their berth for sleeping and when the space must be used for sitting.
The Official Rule: When Can I Sleep and Utilize My Full Berth?
According to the amendment (Correction Slip No. 25) to Para 652 of the Indian Railway Commercial Manual Volume-I, sleeping accommodation for passengers booked in reserved classes is specifically allotted during a defined time window.
The official time window for sleeping accommodation is between 22:00 hours (10:00 PM) and 06:00 hours (6:00 AM).
For the period outside of this sleeping window, sitting accommodation is provided for passengers in reserved coaches.
Special Considerations for Berths and Seating Claims
The rules clarify the usage rights for specific berths:
1. Side Upper Berth: If you are booked on a side upper berth, you will not have any claim of seat on the lower berth during the designated sleeping hours (between 22:00 hours and 06:00 hours).
2. Side Lower Berths (RAC): For side lower berths where passengers are booked under Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC), sitting accommodation is generally provided during the day time. In this scenario, sitting accommodation is also provided for those booked on the upper berth.
The railway policy governing these rules relates to the “Provision of sleeping accommodation in middle berths of 3-tier sleeper coaches”.
Exceptions to the Rule: When Should You Cooperate?
While the 10 PM to 6 AM window is the standard, the Ministry of Railways emphasizes the need for cooperation in certain situations.
Passengers are specifically requested to cooperate with three groups of people who may need to sleep beyond the permissible time limits:
1. Sick persons.
2. Persons with disability.
3. Pregnant ladies.
If a fellow passenger belonging to one of these groups needs rest outside the 22:00–06:00 window, you are officially requested to accommodate their needs.
My Opinion on the Railway Sleeping Policy
I observe that this policy is a highly necessary measure implemented by the Ministry of Railways to balance the conflicting needs of passengers traveling in shared reserved coaches.
The greatest strength of the 10 PM to 6 AM rule is clarity and standardization. Because many 3-tier coaches utilize middle berths, enforcing a strict sleeping time ensures that all three passengers assigned to a vertical stack (lower, middle, upper) know exactly when they are entitled to utilize the space for sitting or for lying down, preventing prolonged disagreements.
Furthermore, the official request for cooperation with vulnerable passengers (sick, disabled, pregnant ladies) demonstrates an attempt by the railway system to maintain empathy alongside strict regulation. This balance ensures shared travel remains feasible and considerate of various health needs.
What Should You Do If Someone is Breaking the Rule?
If a co-passenger is utilizing the berth as a sleeping space outside the permissible 22:00 to 06:00 hours and is preventing you from using the space for sitting, and they do not fall under the category of sick, disabled, or pregnant passengers requiring special accommodation, you should first attempt polite communication regarding the official timings.
The sources strongly emphasize passenger cooperation. If cooperation is not achieved, the most appropriate next step—though not explicitly detailed in these excerpts—is to alert the railway staff available on the train, such as the Traveling Ticket Examiner (TTE) or the coach attendant. These staff members are responsible for enforcing railway rules and ensuring all passengers adhere to regulations concerning reserved accommodation.
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