Title - Complimentary cards now valid in Rajdhani/Shatabdi Express

VARANASI: In a welcome gesture to sportspersons, Ministry of Railways has decided that the complimentary card passes issued to sportspersons who are Arjuna Awardees would now be valid for travel in 1st Class/2nd AC in Rajdhani trains and Chair Car (CC) in Shatabdi trains besides being valid for travel in 1st Class/2nd AC in other mail/express trains (except Duronto trains) over All Indian Railways (except Metro Railway/Kolkata) as per the existing provision.In this connection, a circular dated July 20, 2012 of Railway Board has been sent to all the zonal railways for implementation.The said card pass entitles the Arjuna awardee sportspersons lifelong free travel for self only. In addition, the Arjuna awardee sportsperson is entitled the facility of a companion in the same class along with the sportsperson on this complimentary card pass on attaining the age of 65 years.In case of Arjuna awardee sportsperson, the companion allowed at the age of 65 years will also be entitled to travel in the same class along with the Arjuna Awardees in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.As per the existing policy, Ministry of Railways provides 1st Class/2nd AC complimentary card passes to meritorious sportspersons who are Arjuna Awardees, Olympic Medalists, Gold Medalists in Asian or Commonwealth Games or Dronacharya Awardees.The said Card pass entitles them life long free rail travel for self only in 1st Class/2nd AC over all-Indian Railways (except Metro Railway/Kolkata) by any train other than Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.The policy further prescribes that sports-person is entitled to facility of a companion in the same class on the aforesaid card pass on attaining the age of 65 years. From now on in case of Arjuna Awardees and their companions only the facility has been extended for travel in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.