Railways to stop providing blankets in AC coaches; increase coach temperature to 24

After a recent report on the railways by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which highlighted too many things that needed to be fixed, including hygiene and cleanliness, the railways has sprung into action. It has started providing blankets with covers in AC first-class coaches.

“We now provide blankets with covers in AC first class. The service has been started in all the major railways divisions. By the end of this month, the service will be available across all divisions. These covers will be washed daily,” said railways spokesperson Anil Saxena.

On reports of increasing the temperature of AC coaches to 24 degrees from 19 at present, he said no final decision had been taken yet. “We are looking into its feasibility and practicability,” he said.

CAG had found several lapses in cleanliness in railways. It said washing and sanitation of linen as well as blankets was not done as per the norms established by the railways itself.

Washing of linen should be done after every single use and blankets be dry-cleaned every two months. But that doesn’t happen always.