Blankets for AC coaches to be washed twice a month: Railways

NEW DELHI: Blankets for AC coaches will now be washed twice a month instead of the existing practice of once in two months as the Railways has changed the material to make it washable-friendly.

With the increase of washing frequency, the service life of blankets will also be reduced to two years from the existing four years while the pricing is expected almost to double. According to the revised specifications, the new blankets will be a mix of woollen and nylon to make smelly blankets a thing of the past for AC passengers though it is expected to cost double from the existing price.

The heavy woollen blankets currently in the use cost about Rs 400 and with the change in fabric, new pricing will be decided shortly, said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with the task of introducing regular washable blankets for train travellers across the country.

Plagued with complaints of dirty blankets, the Indian Railways was forced to firm up an action plan.