NEW DELHI: Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that train passengers’ blankets are washed atleast once in a month, while responding Congress MP Kuldeep Indora’s query about blanket washing frequency and hygiene standards.
Vaishnaw further added that an additional bedsheet is included in bedroll kits to serve as a quilt cover. The minister’s written response highlighted that current railway blankets are designed to be lightweight, washable, and provide adequate insulation for passenger comfort during journeys.
He outlined various comfort and safety initiatives, including new linen sets with enhanced BIS specifications, automated laundry facilities, standardised washing equipment, specific cleaning agents, and supervision of laundering processes.
Vaishnaw explained that Whito-meters assess washed linen quality, and the service life of linen items has been shortened from previous guidelines to enable faster replacement with new items.
“War rooms have been established at zonal headquarters and divisional levels to monitor/prompt action on complaints lodged on RailMadad portal, including complaints on linen/bedroll,” he said.
The minister also mentioned the implementation of environmentally conscious bedroll packaging and improved logistics for storage, transport, and handling of linen items at stations and aboard trains.