Indian Railways plan on renaming all coaches

Patna, June 27: With a view to changing the nomenclature of all classes in every Mail and Express train, the Railway Board has decided to put a new name on its long distance coaches from Sunday next.

East Central Railway sources, quoting senior Railway Board officials here today, informed that in accordance with the recent decision taken by the Board all AC-2, AC-3 and AS-1 coaches in every Mail and Express train would now be known as coach A, B and H, while the AC chair cars would be renamed as coach C.

However, the AC chair cars in the air-conditioned Gariv Rath would now be known as J coaches, while those in superfast Shatabdi Express would be renamed as coach E from July 1.

However, there was no plan to change the present nomenclature of Sleeper and First class and they would continue to be referred to as F and S classes as before, the sources said, adding that all changes were being made in accordance with international standard and to remove confusions, particularly among the international passengers travelling through the Indian Railway Network.

Meanwhile, in another important move, the Railway Board had decided to use the vacant space of all major stations and junctions across the country for commercial purposes by letting them out to private parties.

Besides allowing them to use the space for decent advertisements, permission would be accorded for setting up tea stalls and other eateries by private parties against scheduled payment, the sources said, adding that this would generate a considerable amount for the Railways.

UNI