Cover story
Dirty blankets on our trains will be history. Railway has started supplying blankets with cover to passengers in first class AC of Rajdhani Express. Other trains to follow suit
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Thursday, February 18, 2010 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010021820100218031145921627d7b0c)
Next time you travel in an AC compartment of a train, don’t lose your sleep pondering over the cleanliness of the blanket you are given. Taking into account passengers’ hygiene, the Indian Railways has started supplying them with covers.
Acting swiftly on a Railway Board directive, the Ahmedabad Division has started the practice of providing AC first class passengers of Rajdhani Express with blankets having fresh cover a fortnight ago. Gradually, the facility will be extended to all classes of Rajdhani Express and in AC coaches of other trains.
Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad Ashok Garud said: “We have started giving blankets with cover to first AC passengers of Rajdhani Express. The facility will be extended to first AC passengers of other trains in course of time.”
Sources said the railway decided to give blankets with clean covers following repeated complaints from passengers about their cleanliness. AM had also reported that blankets distributed in air-conditioned coaches are washed only once in six months.
Taking into count passengers’ hygiene seriously after the AM report, railway officials conducted brainstorming sessions to find a solution to the problem. A few suggested to wash blankets after every trip. But the idea was trashed, sources said, because blankets take at least four days to dry up. Finally, the option of supplying blankets with covers propped up. Finding it viable, the Railway Board decided to implement it on trains.
Though not a foolproof solution, blankets with fresh covers would not expose passengers directly to swine flu and other maladies. Besides, the spic and span covers will give them mental satisfaction.
Sources said the attendants of Rajdhani Express have been directed to change covers of blankets after each trip. “They have been asked to put new covers on blankets each time the train reaches its terminal stations — Delhi or Ahmedabad. It will ensure blanket with fresh cover is delivered to each passenger,” said an official of Ahmedabad Railway Division.
Sandip Sharma, who frequently travels on Rajdhani Express, said: “Earlier, we hesitated to use blankets supplied on trains. But with clean covers, I’m using them without fear now. However, the railways will have to ensure cleanliness of blanket covers is maintained.”
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Thursday, February 18, 2010 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010021820100218031145921627d7b0c)
Next time you travel in an AC compartment of a train, don’t lose your sleep pondering over the cleanliness of the blanket you are given. Taking into account passengers’ hygiene, the Indian Railways has started supplying them with covers.
Acting swiftly on a Railway Board directive, the Ahmedabad Division has started the practice of providing AC first class passengers of Rajdhani Express with blankets having fresh cover a fortnight ago. Gradually, the facility will be extended to all classes of Rajdhani Express and in AC coaches of other trains.
Divisional Railway Manager of Ahmedabad Ashok Garud said: “We have started giving blankets with cover to first AC passengers of Rajdhani Express. The facility will be extended to first AC passengers of other trains in course of time.”
Sources said the railway decided to give blankets with clean covers following repeated complaints from passengers about their cleanliness. AM had also reported that blankets distributed in air-conditioned coaches are washed only once in six months.
Taking into count passengers’ hygiene seriously after the AM report, railway officials conducted brainstorming sessions to find a solution to the problem. A few suggested to wash blankets after every trip. But the idea was trashed, sources said, because blankets take at least four days to dry up. Finally, the option of supplying blankets with covers propped up. Finding it viable, the Railway Board decided to implement it on trains.
Though not a foolproof solution, blankets with fresh covers would not expose passengers directly to swine flu and other maladies. Besides, the spic and span covers will give them mental satisfaction.
Sources said the attendants of Rajdhani Express have been directed to change covers of blankets after each trip. “They have been asked to put new covers on blankets each time the train reaches its terminal stations — Delhi or Ahmedabad. It will ensure blanket with fresh cover is delivered to each passenger,” said an official of Ahmedabad Railway Division.
Sandip Sharma, who frequently travels on Rajdhani Express, said: “Earlier, we hesitated to use blankets supplied on trains. But with clean covers, I’m using them without fear now. However, the railways will have to ensure cleanliness of blanket covers is maintained.”
