Sleeper coaches cut down in many long-distance trains from Hyderabad, make travel harder for many

Hyderabad: Booking a sleeper seat on a long-distance train from Hyderabad has become difficult for many people. Without any major announcement, the number of sleeper coaches has been cut down in many trains. At the same time, the number of air-conditioned (AC) coaches has gone up. This change is causing problems for those who depend on affordable travel options.

Many well-known trains have seen big changes in how their coaches are arranged. Trains like the Hyderabad–New Delhi Telangana Express, the Hussain Sagar Express to Mumbai, the Godavari and Gowthami Expresses to coastal Andhra, and the Charminar Express to Chennai now only have three to six sleeper coaches. Before, they had around 10 to 12.

In contrast, many of these trains now run with 12 or more AC coaches. For example, the Secunderabad–Bhubaneswar Visakha Express used to have 14 sleeper coaches and 6 AC coaches when it had older ICF (Integral Coach Factory) rakes. But after switching to new LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) rakes, which are considered safer and faster, it now runs with only 3 sleeper coaches and 13 AC coaches. The Hyderabad Deccan–Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus train has also seen changes. It now has just 2 sleeper coaches and 8 AC coaches.

A member of the Hyderabad Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee said that AC travel is not a practical option for everyone, especially in the winter months. He pointed out that while many AC coaches are empty in special trains, sleeper class passengers are left without seats. He believes that the railways should try to keep an equal number of sleeper and AC coaches, like a balanced 8:8 ratio.

However, railway officials say that more people now want to travel in AC coaches. One senior official explained that many travellers choose AC for its comfort, especially on long trips. But regular passengers argue that this comfort makes train travel more expensive. With fewer sleeper berths available, many people have to either stand during their journey or pay much more for an AC seat.