Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has addressed concerns raised by Congress MP Kuldeep Indora regarding the hygiene standards of train blankets.
Indora had questioned the frequency of washing woollen blankets, stating that they were only washed once a month, which could compromise hygiene standards, especially considering the fares paid by passengers.
In a written reply, Vaishnaw clarified that blankets are washed at least once a month. He also outlined several measures taken by the Indian Railways to ensure passenger comfort and hygiene:
"The blankets used in Indian Railways, as per current specifications, are lighter, easy to wash and provide good insulation to passengers for an overall comfortable journey experience," Vaishnaw said.
The minister also highlighted the following initiatives:
Upgraded Linen: New linen sets are procured with improved BIS specifications to ensure better quality and hygiene.
Mechanised Laundries: The Railways has invested in mechanised laundries to efficiently clean linen items.
Standardised Washing Procedures: Specific machines and chemicals are used to ensure thorough cleaning of linen.
Quality Control: Whiteness meters are used to assess the cleanliness of washed linen, and the lifespan of linen items has been reduced to facilitate quicker replacement.
Complaint Monitoring: War rooms have been set up to monitor and address passenger complaints, including those related to linen and bedroll hygiene.
Eco-Friendly Practices: Eco-friendly packaging is used for bedrolls, and improved logistics have been implemented for efficient handling and transportation of linen items.
(With inputs from PTI)
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