Some passengers keep the middle berth open throughout the day, while others place heavy suitcases on the upper berth, creating a safety concern for passengers sitting below. To address such recurring disputes, Indian Railways has laid down clear rules regarding sleeping and berth usage.
According to the rules, the official sleeping period on a train is from 10 pm to 6 am. This rule mainly applies to the lower and middle berths. This means that during the daytime, passengers using the lower berth are required to share the seat with other passengers travelling in the same compartment.
For passengers travelling on the upper berth, the rules are different. They are allowed to rest or sleep on their berth during the daytime as well. However, if an upper-berth passenger is sitting on the lower berth during the day, they are required to return to their upper berth at 10 pm. After that, they cannot continue sitting or lying on the lower berth.
Passengers using the upper berth also need to be careful about carrying heavy luggage upstairs. Many passengers place heavy suitcases on the upper berth while sleeping, but according to the railway rules cited in the source, this can be dangerous. In case of sudden braking or a jerk, heavy luggage could fall and injure passengers sitting below. Passengers should therefore carry only small or light luggage with them while going to the upper berth.
Having an upper berth does not mean a passenger can inconvenience others. Passengers are also responsible for ensuring that they follow the applicable rules and do not cause problems for fellow travellers.
The middle berth is often at the centre of disputes inside train coaches, which is why the rules regarding its use are clearly defined. The middle berth can be used for sleeping only between 10 pm and 6 am.
At 6 am, the middle berth should be folded back down. This allows passengers using the lower berth to sit comfortably and upright during the daytime.
If a passenger keeps the middle berth open during the day, fellow passengers can politely remind them of the railway rules and request that the berth be folded. If the issue is not resolved and the passenger continues to cause inconvenience, the matter can be reported to the TTE or raised through the official railway portal.
Knowing these berth and sleeping-time rules can help passengers avoid unnecessary arguments and ensure that shared seating arrangements inside train coaches are followed during the journey.
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