Indian Railways introduced a new initiative to enhance passenger comfort and promote local textile craftsmanship by providing printed blanket covers featuring traditional Sanganeri designs to passengers in air-conditioned coaches.
The pilot phase of the project was launched at Jaipur’s Khatipura Railway Station, with the first rollout taking place on the Jaipur–Ahmedabad (Asarva) Express, which departed at 8:45 PM. The scheme aims to replace the plain white blankets previously supplied to travellers — a practice that had drawn frequent complaints regarding hygiene and maintenance.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who inaugurated the initiative, said the decision combined passenger comfort with cultural promotion. “Just as we use blankets with covers at home, passengers will now receive them in trains. If successful, this project will be expanded nationwide, and traditional prints from different states will be showcased on Indian Railways,” he said.
Vaishnaw added that the newly designed covers were washable, durable and easy to maintain, and that the material had been carefully chosen to ensure long-term use and cleanliness. He noted that the initiative was intended not only to improve passenger amenities but also to highlight Indian textile traditions and provide support to local artisans.
The introduction drew positive reactions from passengers on the first day. One traveller told IANS, “Earlier, blankets were given without covers. Now, with clean covers, hygiene will be maintained.” Another passenger remarked, “I often carry my own blanket due to allergies, but this new initiative reassures me that the Railways is focusing on hygiene.”
The move also prompted a wave of online responses. A user wrote, “A good initiative to promote culture and art,” while another commented, “That’s something pretty cool. This minimal change will bring a lot of colourful conversation.”
Others reacted with humour. One person joked, “Kuch log pehle ise ghar le jayenge (Some people will take these to their homes).” Another added, “That’s something pretty cool. This minimal change will bring a lot of colourful conversation.”
Alongside the blanket initiative, Minister Vaishnaw also inaugurated development works worth over Rs 100 crore across 65 small and medium railway stations under the North Western Railway zone. These upgrades included new and extended platforms, digital display systems, coach position indicators, and the Integrated Passenger Information System (IPIS), designed to improve the overall travel experience.
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