No more blanket in AC coaches; Railways to instead raise temp to 24 degrees

Officials say washing or dry-cleaning of linen, blankets is economically unviable

After drawing flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) over the cleanliness of blankets provided in air-conditioned (AC) coaches, the Indian Railways is set to do away with them, finding it unviable to get them washed at regular intervals. 

Instead, the Railways is set to increase the average temperature of AC coaches from the current 19 degrees Celsius to 24 degrees Celsius. 

“Cleaning blankets and bedrolls is costly. While the Railways is spending Rs 55 for cleaning bedroll, we are charging travellers only Rs 22. Hence, removing blankets on trains will prove to be economical,” said an official. 

Finding lapses in cleanliness and hygiene, the CAG had cited that linen and blankets were not maintained according to the norms established by the Railways. According to the guidelines, they have to be washed at least once in two months, which was not being followed. 

“We contacted Khadi India if they would be able to dry clean them. But that would cost the Railways Rs 110 per blanket. Hence, we are now planning to do away with blankets completely,” the official added. 

In its report, the CAG found that in 14 select depots under nine zones, blankets were not cleaned properly. A similar lapse was also seen in bedsheet sanitisation. 

“A robust system for procurement, washing and distribution of linen is necessary to provide clean, hygienic, well-ironed and good quality linen to all passengers travelling in AC classes of the Indian Railway,” the report said. 

It stated that existing laundries did not have a sufficient handling capacity and the Railways continued to meet its requirements through outsourcing. It was found that there were no quality checks of washing through departmental mechanised laundries. 

“Necessary clearances for operating 26 of 30 mechanised laundries were not obtained from respective state pollution control boards. Effluent Treatment Plants were not installed in case of 15 of the 30 laundries,” the CAG report added. 

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu had launched personalised disposable bedrolls for travellers last year but they are yet to be availed of in full swing. There are two such types of bedrolls — one in a non-woven fabric bag consisting of two cotton bedsheets and one pillow at Rs 140, and another one packed in a non-woven bag consisting of one blanket at Rs 110.

CAG’s quality check

• Inspection of new supply of linen not being done effectively
• No norms prescribed for optimal stock of bedrolls to be carried in trains
• Blankets and pillows not dry cleaned and/or sanitised for long periods
• No quality check of washing through departmental mechanised laundries
• Deficiencies in washing contracts