The chaos of overcrowded Indian trains is nothing new, but when even AC coaches start feeling like General Class, frustration is bound to boil over. A woman named Nilisha Mantri shared a shocking experience while traveling on the Chetak Express (20473) from Delhi to Udaipur.
Despite paying for a 3-Tier AC ticket, she found herself crammed into a coach that looked more like a sleeper or general compartment.
Nilisha’s post, which quickly went viral, highlighted the overcrowding nightmare inside her AC coach. The picture she shared showed passengers squeezed onto seats, standing in aisles, and even sleeping in awkward positions—one person was even resting with his hand as a support! Frustrated, she questioned, “Why are we paying for AC if we have to suffer like General Class?”
Many passengers echoed her sentiments. Some even mistook her coach for a non-AC one because of the visible fan in the image, but Nilisha cleared the doubts by sharing another picture showing the large AC window.
The post triggered an outpouring of reactions from fellow travelers, many of whom have faced similar ordeals. One user sarcastically commented, “It’s no longer AC 3-tier; it’s Third-Class AC!” Another added, “These days, stations are so crowded that even getting into a train with a First AC ticket feels impossible!”
Seeing the backlash, the Railways responded swiftly, asking Nilisha for her PNR number and contact details to address her complaint. They also reminded passengers about their official complaint registration system for faster resolution.
While prompt responses from the Railways are appreciated, the bigger concern remains why AC coaches are this overcrowded in the first place. Was it mismanagement, excessive ticket confirmations, or simply poor monitoring? Whatever the reason, passengers expect the comfort they pay for—not an experience that feels like a struggle for space.
This incident is a wake-up call for authorities to ensure AC travel remains comfortable and not just another overcrowded ride. Until then, many passengers may wonder: Is booking AC even worth it anymore?