A recent revelation from Indian Railways has highlighted concerns about the cleanliness of bedding provided to passengers in AC coaches. This information, obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request by The New Indian Express, disclosed that while bed sheets and pillow covers are laundered after every journey, blankets are washed just once a month. Depending on their condition, some blankets may be washed twice in a month. This infrequent washing has raised questions about hygiene standards, especially for passengers who rely on these blankets during their travels.
Bedding Included in Ticket Price
Passengers travelling in AC coaches receive bedding consisting of sheets, pillows, and blankets, all neatly packaged in brown envelopes. While bed sheets and pillow covers are cleaned after every trip, the same cannot be said for blankets. According to Rishu Gupta, Section Officer of Environment and Housekeeping Management (EnHM) at the Ministry of Railways, the cost of these bedding items is included in the train fare. On select trains such as the Garib Rath and Duronto, passengers also have the option to purchase a bedroll kit for an additional fee when booking their tickets.
Housekeeping Staff Confirms Blanket Washing Practices
The RTI response from the Ministry of Railways revealed that wool blankets are washed “at least once a month, preferably twice in a month, subject to available capacity and logistics arrangements.” However, housekeeping staff working on long-distance trains indicated that blankets are generally washed once a month. One staff member, with over 10 years of experience, shared, “There is no guarantee that the blankets are washed twice a month. In most cases, we would give the blankets for washing only if we noticed a foul smell, wetness, vomit, etc. In certain cases, we immediately ensure a clean blanket is provided if the passenger raises complaints.”
Post-Trip Handling of Blankets Raises Concerns
After each trip, bed sheets and pillow covers are bundled and sent to the laundry service, ensuring that they are cleaned before the next journey. However, blankets are simply folded and stored in the coach until visible issues, such as stains or unpleasant smells, are detected. Another housekeeping staff member commented, “We fold the blankets neatly and keep them in the coach. We send them for laundry service only if there is a foul smell or notice some food on it.” This practice of leaving blankets unwashed for extended periods, sometimes even months, has sparked concern among passengers.
A report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2017 had already highlighted issues with blanket cleaning, noting that some blankets were not washed for up to six months. This history of inadequate blanket hygiene has added weight to calls for better monitoring and cleaning protocols.
Calls to Discontinue Wool Blankets
A retired senior officer from the Environment and Housekeeping Management (EnHM) division suggested that Indian Railways reconsider its use of wool blankets due to their heavy weight and difficulty in ensuring proper cleaning. “The blankets are heavy, and it is difficult to ensure they are properly washed. It is high time the Railways stopped using these blankets,” she said. The sentiment reflects the broader concern that wool blankets may not be suitable for long-distance train journeys if hygiene cannot be adequately maintained.
Railways’ Laundry Infrastructure Explained
Indian Railways operates a substantial laundry infrastructure, with 46 departmental laundries and 25 BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) laundries across the country. Departmental laundries are owned by the Railways, but the staff working in these facilities are often employed on a contractual basis. In BOOT laundries, the land is owned by Indian Railways, but the washing equipment and staff are managed by private contractors. Despite these resources, concerns about cleanliness persist, particularly regarding the infrequent washing of blankets.
Passenger Safety and Comfort at Stake
Frequent train travellers, especially those in long-distance AC coaches, have voiced concerns over the hygiene of the bedding provided, particularly the blankets. While passengers are reassured that bed sheets and pillow covers are cleaned after each use, the lack of a more rigorous washing schedule for blankets continues to be a point of dissatisfaction. For some passengers, the visible condition of the blankets – often in darker hues such as black or dark brown – only heightens these concerns, as stains and dirt may not be as easily detectable.
The RTI revelation has brought to light the ongoing issues with bedding cleanliness in Indian Railways' AC coaches, particularly regarding blanket washing. As passengers demand better hygiene standards, there is growing pressure on the Railways to revamp its cleaning procedures and consider alternatives to wool blankets, ensuring that comfort and cleanliness remain top priorities for long-distance travel.
Bedding Included in Ticket Price
Passengers travelling in AC coaches receive bedding consisting of sheets, pillows, and blankets, all neatly packaged in brown envelopes. While bed sheets and pillow covers are cleaned after every trip, the same cannot be said for blankets. According to Rishu Gupta, Section Officer of Environment and Housekeeping Management (EnHM) at the Ministry of Railways, the cost of these bedding items is included in the train fare. On select trains such as the Garib Rath and Duronto, passengers also have the option to purchase a bedroll kit for an additional fee when booking their tickets.
Housekeeping Staff Confirms Blanket Washing Practices
The RTI response from the Ministry of Railways revealed that wool blankets are washed “at least once a month, preferably twice in a month, subject to available capacity and logistics arrangements.” However, housekeeping staff working on long-distance trains indicated that blankets are generally washed once a month. One staff member, with over 10 years of experience, shared, “There is no guarantee that the blankets are washed twice a month. In most cases, we would give the blankets for washing only if we noticed a foul smell, wetness, vomit, etc. In certain cases, we immediately ensure a clean blanket is provided if the passenger raises complaints.”
Post-Trip Handling of Blankets Raises Concerns
After each trip, bed sheets and pillow covers are bundled and sent to the laundry service, ensuring that they are cleaned before the next journey. However, blankets are simply folded and stored in the coach until visible issues, such as stains or unpleasant smells, are detected. Another housekeeping staff member commented, “We fold the blankets neatly and keep them in the coach. We send them for laundry service only if there is a foul smell or notice some food on it.” This practice of leaving blankets unwashed for extended periods, sometimes even months, has sparked concern among passengers.
A report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2017 had already highlighted issues with blanket cleaning, noting that some blankets were not washed for up to six months. This history of inadequate blanket hygiene has added weight to calls for better monitoring and cleaning protocols.
Calls to Discontinue Wool Blankets
A retired senior officer from the Environment and Housekeeping Management (EnHM) division suggested that Indian Railways reconsider its use of wool blankets due to their heavy weight and difficulty in ensuring proper cleaning. “The blankets are heavy, and it is difficult to ensure they are properly washed. It is high time the Railways stopped using these blankets,” she said. The sentiment reflects the broader concern that wool blankets may not be suitable for long-distance train journeys if hygiene cannot be adequately maintained.
Railways’ Laundry Infrastructure Explained
Indian Railways operates a substantial laundry infrastructure, with 46 departmental laundries and 25 BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) laundries across the country. Departmental laundries are owned by the Railways, but the staff working in these facilities are often employed on a contractual basis. In BOOT laundries, the land is owned by Indian Railways, but the washing equipment and staff are managed by private contractors. Despite these resources, concerns about cleanliness persist, particularly regarding the infrequent washing of blankets.
Passenger Safety and Comfort at Stake
Frequent train travellers, especially those in long-distance AC coaches, have voiced concerns over the hygiene of the bedding provided, particularly the blankets. While passengers are reassured that bed sheets and pillow covers are cleaned after each use, the lack of a more rigorous washing schedule for blankets continues to be a point of dissatisfaction. For some passengers, the visible condition of the blankets – often in darker hues such as black or dark brown – only heightens these concerns, as stains and dirt may not be as easily detectable.
The RTI revelation has brought to light the ongoing issues with bedding cleanliness in Indian Railways' AC coaches, particularly regarding blanket washing. As passengers demand better hygiene standards, there is growing pressure on the Railways to revamp its cleaning procedures and consider alternatives to wool blankets, ensuring that comfort and cleanliness remain top priorities for long-distance travel.
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