Where are promised blankets, linen in railways, ask irked commuters

The service of providing linen and blankets in outstation trains was discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago

Five days after an official announcement by the railways to resume providing linen and blankets in outstation trains with immediate effect, none are still available, the commuters have complained.

Passengers called the Indian Railway announcement "populist" without taking the ground realities into consideration.
"I read the government notification and did not carry a blanket or bedrolls on the train. However, none are provided and it is freezing cold here," said a commuter Shubham Shukla who is onboard a train to Lucknow.

"Despite the notification and press note of immediate resumption, why are blankets not being provided?" asked another commuter Pushpak Chajed.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has blamed it on zonal railways and stated that the resumption of bedrolls service was under implementation and the services would be resumed as soon as the zonal/divisional railways make necessary arrangements.

Railway officials said that the service was discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly two years. The old linens need to be disinfected and washed before providing it in the trains.

"The process involves getting laundry started, machines restarted and organising manpower, post which disbursal will begin. The entire process will take a few weeks for smooth functioning, and we are on the job to roll it out as soon as possible," a railway spokesperson said.

Subash Gupta of Mumbai Yatri Sangh said, "If the Indian Railways is announcing in writing and through an official press note that linen would be available with immediate effect, then there should not have been a delay. It seems Indian Railways made a populist announcement when zonal railways were not prepared."

Mar 10
Day Rlys made the announcement