New Delhi, Jul 24 (IANS): Civilian winners of gallantry awards like Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra among others will now also get the benefit of life-long freetravel by AC class on the lines being given to the defence staff, the railways said Tuesday.

"The civilian recipients of gallantry awards, namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, will be provided air conditioned (AC) 1st and 2nd class complimentary passes on the lines admissible to defence staff awardees," said a railway official.

At present, the railways provides this facility to only defence personnel recipients of gallantry awards of the Chakra series and to widows of staff who were given the award posthumously.

The railway pass entitles the awardees life-long free rail travel in air conditioned 1st and 2nd class along with one companion in same class all over India except Metro Railway in Kolkata.

From now on, this facility will be available to both civilian and defence personnel Chakra awardees.