Indian Railways News: In recent days, a controversy has erupted over the cleanliness and washing of bedroll blankets used on Indian Railways trains. This issue gained traction when Congress MP Kuldeep Indora raised a question in Parliament regarding the washing and hygiene of these blankets. In response, Railway Minister Vaishnaw stated that the blankets used in trains are cleaned at least once a month. However, this statement sparked public outrage, with many questioning the hygiene standards, especially given the volume of passengers using the same blankets. Concerns were raised about the fact that, over the course of a month, up to 30 passengers may use the same blanket.
The initial statement from the Railways led to considerable embarrassment. Passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that, despite paying for expensive tickets, they were being subjected to poor hygiene practices. The concern was particularly valid since many of these blankets are reused by multiple passengers without any significant cleaning in between. The situation escalated when it was pointed out that after being washed only once a month, 15 people could have used the same blanket, further raising questions about the safety and cleanliness of the service.
In the face of mounting criticism, Indian Railways was forced to amend its stance on the issue. The Railways clarified that since 2016, the blankets used in trains are actually washed twice a month, not once. This clarification aimed to address the concerns over hygiene, but the issue still remained at the forefront, with passengers continuing to express doubts about the overall cleanliness and maintenance of the bedding.
Railways’ Embarrassment Over Blanket Cleaning
Following the public backlash, Northern Railways issued a statement emphasizing that blankets are cleaned twice a month. Despite this assurance, passengers remained unsatisfied with the explanation, highlighting that a blanket washed bi-weekly still exposes passengers to potential hygiene risks, especially on longer journeys. Many passengers questioned whether this was enough to ensure cleanliness, particularly considering that multiple passengers use the same blankets. The question remained: What about the hygiene of those who travel in between wash cycles?
Concerns were raised over whether twice-monthly cleaning was adequate given the number of passengers who use the blankets. For instance, if a blanket is reused by 15 people before being cleaned again, the hygiene standards were clearly insufficient, according to critics. This ongoing debate further fueled skepticism regarding the cleanliness of services, despite the assurances from the Railways.
Indian Railways’ Clarification on Cleanliness
In response to the criticism and to address the mounting questions about cleanliness, Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity for the Railway Board, provided further clarification on November 30. He explained the steps taken by Indian Railways to maintain the cleanliness of blankets and other bedroll items. According to Kumar, Indian Railways employs more than 116 mechanized laundry systems across the country to wash the linens, including blankets. Once the washing process is complete, the linens undergo a detailed inspection using a “white-meter” to ensure that they meet hygiene standards.
After inspection, the cleaned bedrolls are packed in eco-friendly packets and distributed to passengers. This system is designed to ensure that the linens remain hygienic during transit. Kumar also pointed out that before 2010, the cleaning of blankets in Indian Railways used to occur only once every three months. However, with the implementation of more advanced cleaning systems and a focus on improving cleanliness, the frequency of cleaning has significantly increased in recent years.
Additionally, Indian Railways has introduced a system that allows passengers to report complaints regarding the condition of their blankets. If any customer complains about the state of their blanket or linen, the railway staff is instructed to replace it immediately. In line with these efforts, the blankets are also checked after every journey to ensure they are fit for use.
To further safeguard against theft, Indian Railways has put measures in place to monitor and prevent the removal of blankets, towels, and other railway property. Anyone attempting to steal such items is treated as a case of theft, and appropriate legal action is taken.
Despite these efforts, concerns about the adequacy of the measures remain. The controversy over the cleanliness of blankets has highlighted the broader issue of hygiene on long-distance trains, particularly in the context of rising passenger numbers and the increasing costs of tickets. While Indian Railways continues to make efforts to improve the system, the scrutiny over cleanliness standards remains a challenge, as passengers demand higher levels of hygiene, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
The public debate over blanket washing reflects wider concerns about cleanliness standards on trains, especially as passengers expect better services for the prices they pay.
