Aah here it is Bibek, # 165625 of 20th May, 2011.
For the benefit of new members and admins let me repost my # 67951-8 of 2nd September 2010 for information:
Let me narrate an interesting experience. In May 2008, I had booked 2 sleeper class e-tickets for my parents aged 88 and 78 years by 6324 Shalimar Trivandrum Express for travel from Howrah to Coimbatore. Unfortunately both of them were allotted upper berths. My parents initially refused to undertake the journey but after I promised them that it was my responsibility to...
more... see that they got lower berths, they unwillingly agreed. I wrote a letter to The Chief Reservation Supervisor, SER, requesting for a change to lower berths. Till 2 days before journey date, they kept telling me that it was very difficult and adjustment can be made only in the train by requesting other passengers. As it was during the summer rush period, it was not possible to cancel and book fresh tickets. My parents were highly stressed.
Finally, I met the CRS. He was sympathetic and said that if berths are changed, PNR No. will get changed and coach/seat nos. will be known only at the last minute. I readily agreed. Immediately, he issued instuctions to his subordinates to do the needful.
My son and I went to the station with my parents 2 hours before departure time and scanned the charts of all the sleeper coaches and could locate the new coach/berth nos. So I guess where there is a will, there is a way even with IR.