It is both disturbing and deeply distressing to observe the experiences of senior citizens during train journeys in India, where despite their age and vulnerability, they are often allotted upper berths. This practice places a tremendous burden on them, as many elderly passengers find it nearly impossible to climb to the upper levels, let alone sit or sleep comfortably during the journey. One often witnesses frail men and women, some with walking sticks, some with back or knee problems, struggling to haul themselves up or waiting for the assistance of co-passengers simply to access their berth. It is a sight that not only evokes sympathy but also raises critical questions about the sensitivity and efficiency of the railway reservation system. Meanwhile, younger, able-bodied passengers are frequently allotted the lower berths, where comfort is far easier to access, a distribution that defies logic and fairness. This recurring situation highlights a lack of age-based prioritization in berth allocation, something the concerned railway authorities must address urgently to ensure that the journeys of senior citizens are marked by dignity rather than discomfort. Senior citizens, by virtue of age, health concerns, and physical limitations, require more care and consideration in public services, especially while traveling. In a nation where respect for elders is deeply embedded in culture and values, it becomes ironic and even shameful that the railway system - a service catering to millions daily—fails to take into account this basic requirement. Senior citizens above 60 years of age must be mandatorily allotted lower berths in train compartments. Most elderly passengers face immense difficulty in climbing or accessing upper berths, often leading to discomfort, inconvenience, and even health risks during travel. The railways must prioritize their comfort and safety by ensuring automatic lower berth allocation for all senior citizens, rather than leaving it to chance or availability. These elderly passengers not only struggle physically but also experience anxiety and distress during their travels, worrying about how they will manage to climb to their berth or endure the discomfort of sitting upright for long hours in a space that was never designed for people of their age group. In many instances, co-passengers or family members are forced to intervene, offering to exchange berths with them or helping them climb, which, while a testament to the compassion of ordinary citizens, does not absolve the authorities of their responsibility. What is required is not just goodwill from fellow passengers but a systemic change that recognizes age as a critical factor in berth allotment, ensuring that those above a certain age threshold - especially those with medical conditions - are automatically given preference for lower berths.

The problem does not end with berth allocation. The broader experience of train travel, even in classes where passengers expect a degree of comfort such as the 2nd and 3rd class AC compartments, is marred by issues of food quality, hygiene, and basic amenities like drinking water. Numerous passengers continue to highlight that the food served onboard is not only of poor quality but sometimes even unhygienic, raising concerns about health and safety during travel. Many travelers recount instances where the food served carries a stale odor or is inadequately cooked, leaving passengers with no choice but to avoid consuming it altogether. Such lapses are not minor inconveniences but serious failures, especially when passengers have paid a premium for tickets in air-conditioned coaches where a certain standard of service is expected. Furthermore, in some cases, passengers have complained that drinking water, a fundamental necessity, is either not provided or not made available in sufficient quantity. These are not luxuries but basic essentials that any long-distance travel service must provide, and their absence underscores a nonchalant and indifferent attitude on the part of railway authorities. The Indian Railways, often referred to as the lifeline of the nation, ferries millions across its vast network every single day. It is, without doubt, a colossal enterprise, but the size of its operations cannot be an excuse for its inability to ensure passenger comfort, dignity, and safety. When even in premium travel classes, passengers are subjected to unhygienic food, inadequate water, and the sight of vulnerable senior citizens struggling with upper berths, it reveals a systemic apathy that must be addressed at the highest levels. Quality checks for food and beverages appear to be perfunctory at best, as if the comfort and satisfaction of passengers are secondary to operational expediency. It is not uncommon to hear travelers, particularly those on long journeys, express their regret at having to rely on the meals served onboard, some even resorting to bringing their own food despite having paid for onboard catering, simply to avoid falling ill or going hungry.
What is particularly concerning is that such issues persist despite multiple modernization drives, digitalization of services, and promises of passenger-centric reforms in the railway sector. While there is much talk of bullet trains, new corridors, and technological advancements, the day-to-day concerns of passengers—especially senior citizens and those traveling in AC coaches expecting basic quality—are left unaddressed. Berth allocation systems, for instance, could easily be tweaked using existing software to ensure that those above sixty are automatically prioritized for lower berths unless they voluntarily opt otherwise. Similarly, stringent monitoring and penalties could be implemented for catering services that fail to meet hygiene and quality standards. These are not monumental reforms requiring vast new infrastructure or heavy funding but simple, practical measures that could dramatically improve the travel experience for millions. Beyond these immediate concerns, there is a moral dimension to this issue that cannot be overlooked. A society is often judged by how it treats its elderly and vulnerable populations. Subjecting senior citizens—many of whom may be traveling for medical reasons, to visit family, or for pilgrimage—to such indignities not only reflects poorly on the functioning of a public institution but also on our collective values as a community. These individuals, many of whom have contributed to the nation’s economy and society in their working years, deserve not just respect but active facilitation in their later years. Ensuring that they are comfortable and safe during something as basic as a train journey is not merely a matter of administrative reform but a reflection of our social priorities.
In addition, passengers across all age groups deserve to feel assured about the food they consume and the water they drink while traveling. Travel, particularly on long routes, can already be physically taxing, and the last thing passengers need is to worry about falling sick due to the very services they have paid for. It is imperative for railway authorities to recognize that the provision of clean, wholesome food and potable water is not an optional luxury but a non-negotiable duty. The recurring complaints about foul-smelling, stale meals and the lack of safe drinking water cannot be brushed aside as isolated grievances but must be seen as indicators of a larger systemic failure that demands swift and sustained action. Ultimately, Indian Railways stands at a juncture where, alongside its ambitious plans for expansion and modernization, it must renew its commitment to the fundamentals of passenger welfare. The comfort and dignity of senior citizens, the assurance of hygienic food and water, and a fair, logical berth allocation process are not merely operational concerns but markers of a responsive, humane transport system. The time has come for the concerned department to address these pressing issues with the seriousness they deserve, ensuring that the millions who depend on trains for their journeys - especially the elderly and ailing - do not feel neglected, distressed, or unsafe. A railway system that prides itself on being the nation’s lifeline must also embody the nation’s values, beginning with care and respect for every passenger it serves.

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