Booked a middle berth? Here’s why your afternoon nap is officially cancelled

If your favourite part of a long-distance train journey is catching an afternoon nap on your berth, you may need to rethink your routine. Indian Railways is tightening the implementation of its rules governing sleeping hours in sleeper coaches, with passengers allowed to sleep on lower and middle berths only between 10 pm and 6 am.

The restrictions are aimed at regulating the use of shared berths during train journeys. While passengers on lower and middle berths must follow the designated sleeping hours, those occupying upper berths can sleep during the day without any such restriction.

Here is what passengers need to know about the rules:

• 10 pm to 6 am is sleeping time: Passengers can use lower and middle berths for sleeping during this eight-hour window.
• Daytime restrictions: Sleeping on lower and middle berths is not permitted outside the designated hours.
• Upper berths remain unrestricted: Passengers occupying upper berths can sleep during the day as well.
• Exemptions for certain passengers: Patients, pregnant women and persons with disabilities are exempt from the restrictions.

The railway circular introducing these conditions was upheld by the Madras High Court following a petition filed by a passenger. The Railways has now decided to ensure stricter implementation of the rules.