Under the extant policy following categories of sports persons are provided 1st class/2nd AC Complimentary Card passes by the Ministry of Railways for free rail travel:-
1. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees
2. Olympic Medalists
3. Arjuna Awardees
4. Dronacharya Awardees
5. Dhyan Chand Awardees
6. Gold Medalists in Asian & Commonwealth Games
Such Card passes are issued to the sports persons from Railway Board entitling them to life-long free rail travel for self in 1st Class/2nd AC over all Indian Railways (except Metro Railway/Kolkata) by all mail/express trains. Sports persons other than Gold Medalists in Asian and Commonwealth Games are entitled to travel by 2A/3A in Rajdhani trains, Chair Car (CC) in Shatabdi trains and also by Duronto Trains on the authority of the said Card pass. On attaining the age of 65 years, facility of one companion in same class is also allowed on the Card pass. Such Card passes are issued with a validity period of two years to be renewed every two years.
At present 633 sports persons are availing the facility of Complimentary Card pass.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
– PIB