New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS): Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra awardees would now be eligible for lifetime free travel in railways' First Class and Executive Class, an official said on Thursday.

"Earlier, only Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees were entitled to free rail travel in these classes for self and a companion. But now, Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra awardees too have been included," a railway official told IANS.

The Railways provides free travel passes for 1st AC Class or Executive Class to Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees as per a 2014 policy.

The officer said the decision to include Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra awardees in the free travel list was made on August 31 and a letter issued on October 13 by the Railway Board to all zonal railways for necessary action.

Henceforth, Ashok Chakra and Kirti Chakra awardees will now be able to travel free of cost not only in existing 1st AC coaches of Express trains but also Executive Class on all trains, including Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express and Duronto.