NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that blankets provided to passengers are washed at least once a month.
In response to a query from Congress MP Kuldeep Indora about the hygiene standards of woolen blankets, the minister assured that passengers also receive a bedsheet in their bedroll kits, which can be used as a quilt cover.
Regarding the frequency of blanket cleaning, Vaishnaw acknowledged that logistics could occasionally allow washing twice a month. However, as per housekeeping staff, these blankets are only washed once a month or twice if any issue or complaint is received.
Vaishnav in his reply also highlighting ongoing measures to enhance passenger comfort and hygiene. He stated that the Indian Railways now uses lighter, easily washable blankets designed to provide better insulation.
New linen sets adhering to improved BIS specifications are being introduced, and mechanized laundries equipped with standard washing equipment and specified cleaning agents have been deployed to ensure cleanliness.
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To ensure quality, the washed linen is checked with white-meters, and the service life of linen items has been reduced to facilitate the faster introduction of fresh stock.
War rooms have also been established at zonal and divisional headquarters to promptly address complaints, including those related to bedding, through the RailMadad portal.
Soon after this Indian Railways announced a more rigorous schedule, for Rajdhani Express ensuring blanket cleaning every 15 days, a significant improvement from the earlier once-a-month routine.
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This marks substantial progress compared to the pre-2010 schedule, where blankets were washed only once every three months.
In addition to the revised cleaning frequency, Northern Railways has launched a pilot project employing ultraviolet (UV) technology to disinfect blankets. Currently, this technology is in use on the Ranchi and Jammu Rajdhani trains.