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The photo attached to the post shows a local conditioning coach covered in a full-body ad, including window panes.
Central Railway officials addressed the visibility issue in the comments. (Image source: X/@rajtoday)
A fresh controversy has erupted online after a journalist highlighted what he described as poor advertising work on a CR Mumbai AC local train. While sharing an image of a train wrapped in a vinyl advertisement of an ice cream brand, the journalist wrote on
The photo attached to the post shows a local conditioning coach covered in a full-body ad, including window panes. The concern he raised was simple: passengers paying for an air-conditioned local car expect a clear view through the windows, which was not present in this particular case.
The ice cream company advertisers, due to their poor workmanship, have spoiled this CR Mumbai AC EMU local train by making all the windows blacked out. There is no outside view from behind the window. pic.twitter.com/QMVjZvn25s– Rajendra P. Aklekar (@rajtoday) February 27, 2026
Another journalist joined the discussion, criticizing the trend of blanket advertising on public transport. “These types of advertisements, where the coaches of trains and even the best buses are completely covered, look ugly and unaesthetic. The primary colors of the best coach (red) and local trains (purple) reflect their identities and in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, they should be easily recognisable. Advertisers should be allowed only in the designated places,” he wrote.
The mention of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Corporation (BEST) and the color violet to Mumbai locals highlights a greater concern about preserving the visual identity of the city’s public transport network.
Central rail reaction
Responding to the comments, Central Railway officials addressed the visibility issue directly. DRM Mumbai CR wrote, “Vinyl wrapping is permitted on the outside of local AC buses, including windows, with approximately 80 per cent visibility from inside the bus, while the advertisement remains visible from outside. If any obstruction to view from inside the bus is noticed, it will be rectified.”
Vinyl wrapping is permitted on the outside of local AC buses including windows while keeping about 80% of the inside of the bus visible, while advertising remains visible from the outside. If any obstruction to the view is noticed from inside the rake, it will… — DRM Mumbai CR (@drmmumbaicr) February 27, 2026
They added in a later clarification: “The torch was examined. The view from inside the torch is 80 percent clear to the naked eye. Photographs do not give a clear idea of the vision.”
Disappointed passengers
But not all passengers were convinced. One user commented: “CR has gotten so greedy that they take money from passengers for large, local windows for air conditioning. Then they take money from advertisers and sell them that window. I’ve complained about this before, but nothing has changed. Thank you for raising this point.”
The discussion has now shifted to a broader conversation about balancing revenue generation, passenger comfort and city aesthetics. Right now, this case highlights the growing tension between the brand space and the overall experience that forms the lifeblood of Mumbai.
Delhi, India, India
28 February 2026, 17:55 IST
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