In an RTI response to The New Indian Express, the Ministry of Railway revealed that while the linen blankets provided to the passengers in AC coaches are washed after single use, the woolen blankets are to be washed at least once a month. The ideal policy is to wash it twice but is subject to available capacity and logistical arrangements. The news agency reported that nearly 20 housekeeping staff who tend to various long-distance trains stated that they wash woolen blankets once a month unless they are stained or smelly.
The RTI response revealed that the Indian Railway charges passengers for bedsheets, pillows, and blankets in the ticket prices. Meanwhile, in trains like Duronto and Garib Rath, passengers can avail of additional bedroll kits by paying for the same over the fare charges while booking the tickets. Per the ‘dirty’ revelation, the housekeeping staff of various trains, including Duronto, shared that after every trip, the bed sheets and linen pillow covers are sent for laundry in bundles. However, the blankets are folded and neatly kept back in the coaches. The blankets are sent to the laundry only if the staff notices a foul smell. One housekeeping staff admitted that despite the protocol, woolen blankets are not washed twice a month unless they notice vomit, wetness, or a foul smell on them. However, if the passenger raises a complaint, the staff does provide a cleaner blanket.
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Did You Know? In 2018 it was announced that rather than once, the blankets in the AC coaches will be washed twice a month’, while in 2016 it was announced they will be washed after every use! Seems like we are regressing every year.
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The RTI response to the news agency also revealed that the Indian Railways has 46 departmental laundries and 25 BOOT launderis, where BOOT means Build-Your-Own-Transfer laundry. The laundry litter has always been decried, even as CAG’s early reports exposed the dirty truth about the same. Remember when the railways removed curtains and blankets from AC coaches amid the Corona Virus cacophony?
Meanwhile, netizens slammed the Indian Railways, the Ministry of Railways and its REEL minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. One user asked, “Where does the money go, Ashwini Vaishnaw?” “Bring Your Own Blanket,” quipped another user. “How is this even allowed?” asked several disgusted users. “Iski bhi kya zaroorat hai?” remarked one netizen, adding, “Rehne hi do!” Others kind of agreed. Many netizens asked the “REEL Minister” to resolve the mess (or not). “Isme RTI ki kya zarurat thi? Dekh ke he pata chal jata hai,” remarked one netizen.
