Madras High Court upholds railway sleeping berth timing restrictions

The Madras High Court dismissed a petition seeking to strike down the Railways' regulations governing the hours during which sleeping berths in reserved coaches can be occupied, ruling that the restrictions are designed to balance the needs of all travelers.

The court's decision upholds existing guidelines that limit when passengers may use sleeping berths on long-distance rail services. Officials argued that the timing restrictions ensure equitable access to berths across multiple passenger batches and prevent extended unauthorized occupancy.

The petitioner had contended that the restrictions placed undue hardship on passengers, particularly those with mobility issues or specific travel requirements. However, the court reasoned that uniform rules are necessary to maintain operational efficiency and fairness across the rail network's high volume of daily travelers.

Indian Railways implemented the berth timing guidelines as part of efforts to streamline coach management and enhance passenger convenience during overnight journeys. The regulations specify window periods when berths must be vacated to allow cleaning and preparation for subsequent passengers.

The ruling sets a precedent that railway operational rules requiring standardized berth usage patterns will withstand legal scrutiny when justified on public interest grounds. The court's decision affirms that administrative regulations need not accommodate individual preferences if broader efficiency and fairness objectives are demonstrated.