New Delhi: Netizens have reacted positively to the move by Indian Railways to introduce printed blanket covers to go with bedrolls distributed to passengers on AC coaches.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the pilot phase of the project at Jaipur’s Khatipura railway station on Thursday. He launched printed blanket covers having traditional Sanganeri designs.
These covers were introduced for AC-class passengers of the Jaipur-Asarwa Express. The move is aimed at promoting the Vocal for Local mission.
Among the most hilarious reactions was one by X user Sid who posted: “At least the compartments won’t look like a morgue now.”
Vaishnaw highlighted efforts to improve passenger amenities by the railways. Bedroll hygiene has always been a factor on trains. While railway zones have laundries for regular washing of bedsheets, pillow covers and towels, blankets are sent to the cleaners after several trips.
This means that on most occasions passengers are issued blankets used by others.
The blanket covers will solve this problem to a large extent. While the blankets will not longer come into direct body contact of passengers, the covers can be taken off and sent for washing along with the sheets and towels. This will ensure hygiene apart from adding a bit of colour during the train journeys.
Vaishnaw, in his speech after introducing the blanket covers, hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that the railways have undergone “unprecedented transformation” under him.
“Prime Minister Modi’s vision and guidance have made possible the sweeping changes we see today in the rail sector,” Vaishnaw said.
The minister also noted that the government’s ground-level policy decisions have accelerated infrastructure growth.
“A strong economy has enabled large-scale improvements in railway infrastructure and passenger amenities,” he said. Vaishnaw added that India’s domestic manufacturing strength — from mobile phones to the indigenously designed Vande Bharat trains — reflects the nation’s growing self-reliance,” he said.
