Indian Railways Introduces Bedrolls in Sleeper Class Coaches from January 2026: A Major Step Towards Comfort

In a passenger-friendly move, Indian Railways has announced that it will extend the facility of bedrolls – including clean sheets and pillows – to Sleeper Class (SL) travellers, a benefit previously available only in Air-Conditioned (AC) coaches. The initiative, which brings sleeper-class travel closer to the comfort levels of AC coaches, will officially roll out across the network from 1 January 2026.

The Southern Railway’s Chennai Division has taken the lead by launching the service on a trial basis in select long-distance trains. Sharing the update through its official X (Twitter) handle, Chennai Division informed passengers that from the new year, those travelling in sleeper coaches will be able to avail sanitized bedroll kits during their journey.

Charges for the Bedroll Service

Unlike AC classes where bedrolls are provided complimentary, sleeper-class passengers will have to pay a nominal fee for the facility:

• Full bedroll kit (one sheet + one pillow + one pillow cover): ₹50
• Only bed sheet: ₹20
• Only pillow with cover: ₹30

Notably, blankets will not be part of the sleeper-class bedroll kit at this stage.

The charges have been kept deliberately low to ensure the service remains affordable while covering the cost of laundering, sanitization, and logistics.

Trial Launch in 10 Popular Long-Distance Trains

The service has already been introduced on an experimental basis in ten important trains originating from or passing through the Chennai Division. Passengers travelling in the sleeper coaches of the following trains can now opt for bedrolls:

1. 12671/12672 Nilgiri (Blue Mountain) Superfast Express (Chennai–Mettupalayam)
2. 12685/12686 Chennai–Mangaluru Superfast Express
3. 16179/16180 Mannargudi–Chennai Egmore Express
4. 20605/20606 Chennai–Tiruchendur Superfast Express
5. 22651/22652 Palakkad–Chennai Superfast Express
6. 20681/20682 Silambu Superfast Express (Chennai–Sengottai)
7. 22657/22658 Tambaram–Nagercoil Superfast Express
8. 12695/12696 Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram Superfast Express
9. 22639/22640 Alappuzha–Chennai Superfast Express
10. 16159/16160 Chennai–Mangaluru Express (via Mayiladuthurai)

These trains connect major cities and tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, catering to a large number of middle-class and budget travellers who prefer sleeper class for overnight or long journeys.

Why This Move Matters

For decades, sleeper-class passengers have had to carry their own bedding or make do without proper linen, especially after Indian Railways discontinued free blanket distribution in non-AC coaches during the COVID-19 pandemic for hygiene reasons. The absence of bedrolls often led to discomfort, particularly during winter or on long routes.

By introducing sanitized, disposable-type or regularly laundered linen at a nominal cost, the Railways aims to:

• Enhance passenger comfort in the most widely used class of travel
• Maintain high hygiene standards through proper sanitization
• Reduce the hassle of carrying personal bedding
• Bridge the comfort gap between AC and non-AC travel without significantly increasing ticket fares

The initiative has been widely welcomed on social media, with many users calling it a “long-overdue” and “practical” reform.

Nationwide Rollout from 1 January 2026

While the service is currently operational in select Southern Railway trains, Indian Railways has confirmed that the facility will be extended pan-India in sleeper coaches starting 1 January 2026. The exact mechanism — whether bedrolls will be available on-demand at seats or need to be pre-booked — is yet to be finalized, but sources indicate passengers will be able to request them from onboard attendants by paying the prescribed charges.

This move is part of a series of passenger-centric reforms by Indian Railways in recent times, including mandatory OTP verification for online bookings, revised Tatkal rules, and improved catering services.

For millions of Indians who rely on sleeper-class travel every day, the arrival of clean bedrolls at just ₹50 marks a small but significant upgrade in the journey experience — making train travel a little more comfortable, hygienic, and dignified.