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Indian Railways has issued clear directives regarding the rules applicable to passengers with disabilities. Now, all persons with disabilities holding a Unique Disability ID (UDID) card will be able to travel in the reserved SLRD (Special Lower Berth for Persons with Disabilities) and LSLRD coaches of Mail and Express trains. The Railway Board has issued a circular to all zones, outlining the existing regulations. What exactly are these rules, and under which provisions can persons with disabilities undertake their journey? Let's find out.

According to Indian Railways, only two categories of passengers will be considered 'bona fide passengers' within the special coaches designated for persons with disabilities. These include individuals with disabilities holding a valid UDID card issued by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), and those individuals with disabilities who have been granted concessional fare facilities by Indian Railways.
The Railways has clarified that it is mandatory for passengers with disabilities belonging to these two categories to carry their 'Authority to Travel' document with them during their journey. Passengers with disabilities traveling without a ticket or the requisite 'Authority to Travel' document will not be permitted to occupy seats in these coaches.

The Railways has taken serious cognizance of complaints regarding unauthorized passengers occupying seats in these coaches reserved for persons with disabilities. The Board has directed all zones that if any unauthorized individual is found within these SLRD or LSLRD coaches, strict penal action will be initiated against them under the relevant sections of the Railways Act, 1989.

This clarification has been issued to ensure that genuine passengers with disabilities are able to secure their reserved seats and to prevent the misuse of these coaches. Railway officials state that instructions have been issued to Ticket Examiners (TTEs) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to ensure strict adherence to these regulations.

**No Leniency for Unauthorized Passengers**
According to the Railways, it is frequently observed that other passengers illegally occupy the seats in these coaches reserved specifically for persons with disabilities. Adopting a firm stance on this issue, the Railways has directed that if any unauthorized individual is found traveling in these coaches, penal action will be initiated against them under various sections of the Railways Act, 1989.

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