Railways to Upgrade Garib Rath Trains with Economy AC Coaches, Phases Out Chair Car, 2nd AC Bookings

Starting August 2024, travellers on Garib Rath trains will face changes in their booking options as Railways announces the closure of reservations in AC Chair Car and Second AC coaches. The decision comes as part of a broader initiative to upgrade the Garib Rath fleet with new, economy AC coaches. Currently, there are 26 Garib Rath trains operating across 52 routes on a weekly or multiple-times-per-week basis. These trains were originally introduced under the tenure of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, offering fares significantly lower than those of regular AC Third and chair car coaches.

The Railway Ministry has decided to retrofit the aging Garib Rath coaches, which have been in service for 18 years since their inception in 2006. The transformation will involve replacing the old coaches with LHB coaches and introducing newly designed economy AC coaches. The new economy AC coaches will provide enhanced passenger amenities, including 81 berths per coach (up from 72), fireproof materials in berths, foldable snack tables, modern toilets, reading lights, and USB charging points. These upgrades aim to improve the travel experience on Garib Rath trains.

A spokesperson from the Railway Ministry confirmed that the decision to discontinue reservations in AC Chair Car and Second AC coaches is part of the phased upgrade process. Starting August this year, passengers will only have the option to book Third AC coaches on Garib Rath trains.

The production of these new economy AC coaches is currently underway at Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, and Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli. Travellers are advised to plan their bookings accordingly, as the option to reserve Second AC and chair car seats on Garib Rath trains will gradually be phased out in the coming months.