** about 30 years back, AC used to be a luxury out of reach of common man/middle class.
**Energy inefficient Assembled ACS used to cost 25000-30000 Rs (Rs 1,00,000+ at current prices taking into account inflation) and branded ones used to cost about 50% higher.
**So ac train travel was rightfully a luxury which was availed by riches and warranted much high fares than non-ac fares.