The Indian Railways may stop providing blankets, pillows, hand towels and sheets in its air-conditioned coaches when it resumes full services, even after the pandemic ends, according to a report in the Indian Express.
While a formal decision is yet to be taken, the report says the issue was discussed at a high-level video conference between Railway Board top brass and zonal and divisional officials earlier this week.
The report adds, a committee is being formed to decide what to do with the mechanised mega laundries, set up to wash the linen under the Build-Operate-Own-Transfer model across India.
The Railways is estimated to spend Rs 40-50 for washing each linen set. According to estimates, there are about 18 lakh linen sets in circulation at present. A blanket remains in service for about 48 months, and is washed once a month. At present no new linen items are being procured, says the report.
Apart from the cost involved, linen sets, especially blankets and sheets, have been a regular cause of passenger complaints.
Over the last few months, about 20 railway divisions have given contracts to private vendors for selling disposable blankets, pillows and sheets at stations at cheap prices.
Lockdown in Maha's Amravati, Achalpur extended till March 8
India-Bangladesh discuss security issues at Home Secretary level talks
Caught on camera: Innova linked to Ambani security scare seen leaving Mumbai
High-level review meeting as 6 states see spike in Covid cases in 24 hrs
AG refuses consent for contempt proceedings against ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi
BJP vs TMC: War of slogans heats up ahead of Bengal assembly polls
TN assembly elections: Kamal Haasan announces poll plan; speaks on alliances
'Wanting to pull me down': Hardik slams Gujarat Congress leaders
PM Modi opens toy fair, pushes for 'vocal for local'
Democracy is dead in India, BJP & RSS killed it: Rahul Gandhi
'Hold me to my tweet': Prashant Kishor on Bengal battle
India and China agree to establish hotline for 'timely communication'
India Covid-19 tracker: Active cases over 1.59 lakh, more than 1.42 cr vaccinated
Govt extends date for tax resolution scheme
DGCA extends ban on international commercial flights
Amid global focus, India defends response to farmers protest at UN
Bizarre killing caught on cam: UP man shoots nephew who was filming
PM Modi to receive global energy and environment leadership award
Dalit activist Nodeep Kaur released from prison after getting bail
Did JP Nadda drop the ‘Pawri’ catchphrase while campaigning in Bengal?