Sleeper coaches halved: Hyderabad's long-distance trains now out of reach for budget travelers
Several popular trains have undergone drastic changes. The Hyderabad-New Delhi Telangana Express, Hussain Sagar Express to Mumbai, Godavari and Gowthami Expresses to coastal Andhra, and even the Charminar Express to Chennai now run with as few as three to six sleeper coaches, down from the earlier 10 to 12. Meanwhile, AC coaches have jumped to 12 or more on many of these services.
Take the Secunderabad-Bhubaneswar Visakha Express.
It previously had 14 sleeper and 6 AC coaches when it ran with older ICF (Integral Coach Factory) rakes. Now, with upgraded LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) rakes - known for better safety and speed - it runs with just 3 sleeper coaches and 13 AC coaches. Similarly, the Hyderabad Deccan - Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus service now has only 2 sleeper coaches against 8 AC ones.
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"I tried booking a sleeper ticket to Srikakulam for ₹435 but found none.
The only option left was 3-tier AC at ₹1,175," said N Sudha, a private bank employee, adding that: "For middle-class families, this hits hard."
A member of the divisional railway users consultative committee (Hyderabad) added: "AC travel isn't viable all year, especially in winter. Yet, many special trains run with empty AC berths while sleeper travellers struggle. The railways should ideally maintain a balanced 8:8 ratio of sleeper and AC coaches."
Railway officials, however, say the move is driven by rising demand for AC travel. "Many passengers prefer the comfort of air-conditioning, especially over long distances," a senior official said.
But most of the passengers argue this comfort comes at a cost of accessibility.
With sleeper berths shrinking, the common traveller is left standing or paying triple.
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