Train blankets provided to passengers are washed at least once a month, with an additional bedsheet included in the bedroll kit to be used as a quilt cover, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Vaishnaw was responding to a question from Congress MP Kuldeep Indora, who raised concerns about the hygiene standards of woollen blankets, given that passengers pay for bedding. In his written reply, the Minister explained that the blankets currently used by Indian Railways are lighter, easy to wash, and provide good insulation, ensuring a comfortable travel experience.
He also highlighted several initiatives taken to enhance passenger comfort and safety. These include the procurement of new linen sets with improved BIS specifications, the operation of mechanized laundries for hygienic linen, and the use of standard machines and chemicals for washing. The quality of washed linen is monitored using white-meters, and the life span of linen items has been shortened to allow quicker replacement with fresh stock.
Furthermore, Vaishnaw mentioned the establishment of ‘war rooms’ at zonal and divisional levels to address complaints through the RailMadad portal, including those related to linen and bedrolls. To support better hygiene, eco-friendly packaging has been implemented for bedrolls, and improvements in logistics have been made for storing, transporting, and handling linen across stations and trains.
