WOOL BLANKETS WASHED 'ONCE A MONTH': RAILWAYS

HOW often does the Indian Railways wash the blankets provided to passengers paying for AC coach travel? In an RTI response to TNIE, the Ministry of Railways said the linen provided to passengers is washed after each use but the wool blankets are to be washed "at least once a month, preferably twice in a month, subject to available capacity and logistics arrangements".

- JOSE K JOSEPH

TNIE spoke to around 20 housekeeping staff of various long-distance trains, most of whom said the blankets are only washed once a month. They are only washed more frequently if stained or smelly, many said.