Indian Railways is committed to maintaining hygiene and comfort for passengers, with blankets being washed at least once a month and an additional bedsheet included in the bedroll kit for use as a quilt cover. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this information in a written response to a question raised by Congress MP Kuldeep Indora in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The MP had queried whether woollen blankets provided to passengers were only washed monthly despite passengers paying for hygienic bedding. Addressing the concern, Vaishnaw stated, “The blankets used in Indian Railways are lighter, easier to wash, and designed to provide good insulation for passenger comfort.”
Highlighting measures undertaken to enhance passenger experience, the minister noted that new linen sets with upgraded BIS specifications are being procured to ensure better quality. Mechanised laundries equipped with standard machines and chemicals have been established to guarantee hygienic washing. The quality of cleaned linen is assessed using whito-meters, and the service life of linen items has been reduced to enable quicker replenishment with fresh stock.
To address passenger grievances, Vaishnaw mentioned the creation of “war rooms” at zonal headquarters and divisional levels to promptly handle complaints received through the RailMadad portal, including those related to bedroll quality.
Furthermore, the minister emphasised the use of eco-friendly packaging for bedrolls and the adoption of efficient logistics for their storage, transportation, and handling at stations and onboard trains. These initiatives aim to ensure a comfortable and hygienic journey experience for all passengers.
