New Delhi: How often are train blankets washed? Congress MP Kuldeep Indora raised a query over blanket washing frequency and hygiene standards. Responding to it, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday informed the House that train passengers’ blankets are washed at least once a month.
He further added that an additional bedsheet is provided in the bedroll kit for its use as a quilt cover. The minister’s written response emphasised that the current railway blankets are specifically designed to be lightweight, washable, and offer sufficient insulation to ensure passenger comfort throughout their journeys.
His response also pointed at additional measures implemented to boost passenger comfort and safety, such as the procurement of new linen sets with upgraded BIS specifications to ensure better quality, the use of mechanised laundries for the supply of hygienic linen, the adoption of standard machines and specified chemicals for linen washing, and the monitoring of linen washing activities.
“Whito-meters are used to check the quality of washed linen items and the codal life of linen items has been reduced from the previously prescribed duration to allow quicker induction of fresh items, Vaishnaw’s response said.
War rooms for bedroll complaints
Vaishnaw also added that the Railways has set up ‘war rooms’ at both zonal headquarters and divisional levels to monitor complaints registered through the RailMadad portal, including those related to the linen and bedrolls provided to passengers. He assured that prompt action is taken in response to all such complaints.
The minister also mentioned the introduction of environment-friendly bedroll packaging and enhanced logistics for the storage, transportation, and handling of linen items at stations and on trains.
