Hereafter, the
Param Vir Chakra , Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra awardees
will travel alongwith a companion in AC 2 /AC 3 tier of Rajdhani
and chair car of Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi Express trains as well.
So far, these Gallantry awardees have been entitled to free
journey since 1996 in all Mail/Express trains except Rajdhani
and Shatabdi.
As such , as per
instructions issued by Indian Railways in 1996, six categories
of Gallantry Award recepients namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha
Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya
Chakra are entitled to free travel alongwith a companion
in first class / AC 2 tier as per complimentary card passes
issued to them.
It is clarified
that passes issued to Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya
Chakra awardees will not be valid for travel in Rajdhani
and Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi trains.
The new facility
comes as a tribute of Indian Railways in its 150th
year to the gallantry awardees as a mark of respect to them.