A closer look at hygiene practices in Indian Railways following disturbing RTI revelations
With over 22,593 trains operating across the country, Indian Railways is the world's fourth-largest railway network, transporting around 24 million passengers daily. However, hygiene has always been a concern for many travelers, and recent findings might make passengers think twice about using onboard amenities.?
How frequently are blankets in Indian Railways washed?
A Right to Information (RTI) request, reported by The New Indian Express, has uncovered a concerning hygiene practice in Indian Railways' air-conditioned coaches.?
While bed sheets and pillow covers are washed after every journey, the blankets provided to passengers are cleaned only once a month, or in some cases, even less often.?
Given the millions of passengers who travel daily, the level of germs possibly accumulating in these blankets is worrying.
Rishu Gupta, a section officer for Environment and Housekeeping Management at the Ministry of Railways, confirmed that woollen blankets are typically washed just once a month, with extra cleaning occurring only if they are visibly dirty or emit a foul odor.?
One railway staff member even admitted that blankets are reused without washing unless there are incidents like spills or other significant dirt.?
This revelation raises serious concerns about passenger health and safety, prompting calls for improved cleanliness standards in the railway system.
What bedding do passengers receive on Indian trains?
Passengers in air-conditioned coaches of Indian Railways are provided with a packaged set of bedding, including bed sheets, pillow covers, and blankets, with the cost built into their train fare.?
The issues of blankets not being washed frequently enough isn't a new concern, as poor hygiene practices have been highlighted in the past.?
In 2017, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report had uncovered that some blankets hadn't been washed for as long as six months, flagging the same hygiene issues that continue to persist today.
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