Indian Railways has officially clarified its policy regarding the use of private saloon cars following a viral social media video showing a religious ritual performed on a moving train. The incident, which took place on July 10, 2026, involved a ‘Rudrabhishek’ ceremony held inside a privately booked coach attached to the Paschim Express. This development comes shortly after similar public scrutiny regarding coach decorations on other train services.
Key details of the incident and official clarification include:
- The saloon car was booked under the Full Tariff Rate (FTR) service for a journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS).
- The booking was made via IRCTC on July 8, 2026, with an advance payment of ₹3,08,580.
- The coach was attached to Train Number 12926 Paschim Express for its one-way trip.
- Railway authorities confirmed that private rituals are permitted in booked saloons, provided they do not disrupt train safety or operations.
Understanding the FTR Booking Policy
Northern Railway and Western Railway officials addressed the controversy by explaining the nature of saloon car bookings. A saloon car is a premium, self-contained coach featuring air-conditioned bedrooms, a kitchenette, and living areas. Because these coaches are booked commercially by private parties, they are distinct from regular passenger coaches. Officials stated that as long as the activity remains within the private confines of the coach and does not interfere with the train’s punctuality or safety protocols, passengers are free to conduct rituals according to their faith.
Distinguishing from Previous Controversies
Railway officials were quick to distinguish this incident from the recent controversy involving ‘suhagrat’ decorations in a standard coach. In the previous case, the primary concern was the involvement of unauthorized external decorators entering the train premises, which raised security and operational protocol issues. In contrast, the Rudrabhishek ceremony took place within a legally hired private space. The Railways has reaffirmed that while they encourage passenger convenience, they maintain a strict stance on ensuring that all private commercial bookings adhere to the safety guidelines set for the Indian Railways network. The authorities have confirmed that the Paschim Express journey proceeded without any compromise to passenger safety or train operations.