Southern Railway is introducing bed sheets and pillows for non-AC sleeper class travelers—a facility that was previously exclusive to AC coaches. Starting January 1, passengers on select express trains will be able to request bedrolls for a small additional fee.
The initiative aims to make long journeys more comfortable, particularly during chilly winter nights and the monsoon season. According to railway officials, the service will be available on demand and priced affordably to ensure accessibility:
- ₹50 for a complete set — one bed sheet, one pillow, and a pillow cover
- ₹20 for a bed sheet alone
- ₹30 for a pillow with its cover
In the first phase, the amenity will be introduced on 10 major express routes, including:
Chennai–Mettupalayam Nilgiri Superfast Express, Chennai–Mangaluru Superfast Express, Chennai Egmore–Mannargudi Express, Chennai Egmore–Tiruchendur Superfast Express, Chennai–Palakkad Express, Chennai Egmore–Sengottai Silambu Superfast Express, Tambaram–Nagercoil Superfast Express, Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram Superfast Express, Chennai–Alappuzha Superfast Express, and Chennai Egmore–Mangaluru Express.
Railway officials note that the idea was initially tested under the New Innovative Non-Fare Revenue Ideas Scheme (NINFRIS) in 2023–24, where it received strong positive feedback from passengers.
With this rollout, Southern Railway anticipates generating ₹28.27 lakh in additional revenue for the Chennai Division over the next three years—while significantly improving the travel experience for millions of sleeper-class passengers.
