Indian Railways has reaffirmed its commitment to affordable travel for low and middle-income families by significantly expanding non-AC coach capacity and introducing modern Amrit Bharat trains. With 78 percent of seats and 70 percent of coaches now in the non-AC category, the railways are enhancing comfort and accessibility for general class passengers across the country.
During the financial year 2024–25, 1,250 general coaches were deployed in long-distance trains, contributing to a steady rise in general and unreserved passenger numbers. From 99 million passengers in 2020–21, the figure surged to 651 million in 2024–25. The current seat distribution includes approximately 54 lakh non-AC seats and 15 lakh AC seats, totaling around 69 lakh seats.
To meet growing demand, Indian Railways is executing a special manufacturing programme to produce 17,000 non-AC general and sleeper coaches over the next five years. The policy for Mail and Express trains now mandates 12 general and sleeper class non-AC coaches and 8 AC coaches in a 22-coach train, ensuring greater accommodation for non-AC travelers.
The introduction of Amrit Bharat trains marks a major upgrade in non-AC rail travel. Out of 100 approved trains, 14 are currently operational. These fully non-AC trains feature 11 general class coaches, 8 sleeper class coaches, a pantry car, and two second class cum luggage cum guard vans with disabled-friendly compartments. Designed for high-speed travel and enhanced safety, the trains include jerk-free semi-automatic couplers, crash tubes for improved crashworthiness, CCTV systems, LED lighting, EP braking systems, and aerosol-based fire suppression systems.
Passenger amenities have been upgraded with better seat aesthetics, improved toilet designs, USB Type-A and Type-C charging sockets, emergency talk-back systems, and sealed gangways with quick-release mechanisms. The non-AC pantry car offers enhanced heating capacity for onboard catering.
Indian Railways continues to operate unreserved non-AC passenger trains, MEMU, and EMU services alongside Mail and Express trains, maintaining affordable fare structures based on service cost, passenger affordability, and socio-economic considerations. The launch of Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services reflects the railways’ focus on delivering high-quality travel experiences to a broader population, especially lower-income groups.
