Only one railway bedsheet washed after single use: Ashwini Vaishnaw informs RS
New Delhi, July 24
Only one of the two bedsheets in the bedroll packet issued by Indian Railways to passengers travelling in air‑conditioned classes is washed after single use, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed in Parliament on Friday.
"Each bedroll packet contains two bed sheets, one pillow cover and a hand towel. One bed sheet is intended for keeping on the sleeper seat. In contrast, the additional bed sheet provided in the standard bedroll kit is intended as a covering layer under the blanket so that the blanket is not in direct touch with the passenger's body. This blanket cover sheet is washed after single use," the minister informed the Rajya Sabha in reply to a question.
This has raised questions among rail users, primarily on how attendants identify which sheet has been used as a blanket cover and why the other sheet, which has been slept on, is not washed after single use.
Vaishnaw outlined several measures to improve the quality of linen supplied to passengers. He said blanket covers are being provided to all AC class passengers in trains operated by North Western Railway and in the newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Kamakhya and Howrah as a pilot initiative, which has been widely appreciated.
He added that "whito‑meters" are being used in all mechanised laundries to check the effectiveness of cleaning linen, while CCTV cameras have been installed across laundries to monitor operations.
The minister also said a pilot project using automated AI‑camera stain detection technology has been initiated in laundries at Pune Division, Central Railway, and the Jaipur and Jodhpur divisions of North Western Railway to ascertain the quality of washed linen.
"The codal life of various linen items is prescribed under extant Railway rules and is reviewed periodically based on usage, condition and serviceability. Linen items found unserviceable are withdrawn and replaced in accordance with the prescribed norms," Vaishnaw said.
The codal life of handloom linen bedsheets is 12 months, while Polyvastra ones last 24 months. Pillow covers and face towels have a codal life of nine months each, while pillows and blankets last 24 months.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Atleast they're being transparent about it now. The whito-meters and AI camera system sounds promising. But honestly, if you're going to wash only one, why not just provide one bedsheet? 🤔 This seems like a waste of resources.
As someone who travels frequently in AC class, I've always wondered why the sheets sometimes feel fresh and other times not. This explains a lot! But seriously, in 2024, can't Indian Railways figure out basic hygiene? Every passenger deserves clean bedding period.
Bhai, this is why I always carry my own bedsheet when travelling. Can't trust government machinery. But Vaishnaw ji, please explain how attendants know which sheet was used for what? And why not wash both? 🤦♂️
Honestly, this is better than what I expected! Atleast they are washing the one that touches you under the blanket. The old system of just shaking out blankets was disgusting. Plus the AI monitoring is a good step. Let's see how it works in practice.
I've traveled in 20 different countries by train and never seen such a system. In Japan or Europe, everything is washed after each use. This is a classic Indian compromise - instead of fixing the problem, they create a confusing workaround. Very disappointing.
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