Muristek
Shubhadeep Choudhury
New Delhi, April 15
When the AC 3-tier economy class coaches were rolled out last year with much fanfare from the Railway Coach Factory, Kapurthala, a crucial design flaw escaped everyone's attention.
Official stance
In view of provision of SMART HVAC system and controlled temperature in AC economy coaches, it's advised that linen and blanket may not be provided. Ministry's letter
The result: Unlike in other AC coaches, those travelling by AC 3-tier economy class will not get bedrolls and blankets. This is because the AC 3-tier economy class coaches have no space for keeping bed linen.
In a letter (dated April 12) to the GMs of all zonal railways, the ministry said, "References have been received from zonal railways regarding unavailability of linen space in LHB AC economy coaches and thereby difficulty in provisioning linen for AC economy passengers." "The matter has been examined by the board in consultation with passenger marketing, traffic commercial (rates) and traffic coaching directorates and accordingly, in view of the provision of SMART HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system and thus controlled temperature within the AC economy coaches, it is advised that linen and blanket in AC economy coaches may not be provided," the letter added. The ministry's letter said that passengers travelling by AC economy classes may be informed through the ticketing system or via other means that linen and blanket will no more be provided to them. The supply of bedrolls was suspended for about two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.