In an exclusive interview, Railways Board Chairman VK Yadav has confirmed that they are replacing sleeper coaches from every mail and express train in India.
Which trains will have sleeper coaches now? And how will this work out?
Keep reading to find out more..
Railways Will Replace Sleeper Coaches From Every Train
Speaking exclusively to ET, Railways Board Chairman VK Yadav has declared that Indian Railways will be replacing non-AC coaches from every mail and express train.
This way, all mails and express trains in India will be AC only in future.
While sleeper coaches are priced less, AC coaches such as AC 2 and AC 3 are priced higher, and more comfortable.
But now, since every coach will be AC coach, passengers can enjoy a comfortable journey, with AC only trains.
Which Trains Will Have Non-AC Coaches?
As per VK Yadav, only local trains, and slow moving passenger trains with multiple halts between cities, will have non-AC coaches.
Rest every train will have only AC coaches for the passengers.
Note here, that Rajdhani and Shatabdi, along with premium trains such as Duronto etc already have only AC coaches, and there are no sleeper or non-AC coaches in such trains.
Work Has Already Started?
Although Railways Board Chairman announced this development of 100% AC trains just now, we had already reported last month, that Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala has already started converting sleeper coaches into AC only coaches in their factory, and work is in full swing.
As per the reports, these new AC coaches will be sort of Economical Coaches, and its hierarchy will be between AC3 and Sleeper coaches.
Internally, these coaches are being called as AC3 Tourist Class, and around 280+ such Sleeper Coaches are being converted into AC coaches, at an expense of Rs 2.83 crore per coach.
Compared to 72 berths in a sleeper coach, this new AC coach will have 83 berths.
And, there will be no discomfort as well, because the number of berths in a coupe remains same: There will be no extra middle berth between side-upper and side-lower berths.
The coaches are being re-designed by moving the electrical units and removing the space reserved for storing blankets and bed-sheets, since Railways will stop providing them due to coronavirus.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in.
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