Indian Railways’ practice of washing only one of the two bed sheets in the bedroll packet provided to passengers in air-conditioned classes has come to light. The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, disclosed in Parliament that the additional bed sheet meant to cover the blanket is washed after single use, while the other sheet, used on the sleeper seat, is not. This revelation has sparked concerns among passengers regarding the hygiene standards on trains.
Vaishnaw detailed various steps being taken to enhance the quality of linen given to passengers. Initiatives include providing blanket covers to all AC class travelers on specific trains and implementing “whito-meters” in laundries to ensure linen cleanliness. Additionally, the use of CCTV cameras in laundries and the introduction of automated AI-camera stain detection technology are part of efforts to monitor and maintain linen quality.
Furthermore, the minister mentioned that the lifespan of different linen items, such as handloom linen bedsheets lasting 12 months and Polyvastra ones lasting 24 months, is regulated by Railway rules. Unsuitable linen is replaced based on prescribed norms to uphold quality standards and passenger comfort.
