You'll Be Grossed Out When You Realize How Rarely Indian Railways Blankets Get Washed

Millions of passengers on India’s long-distance train routes will soon sleep better, knowing that their blankets have been washed.

Following a discussion in parliament over grimy blankets, sheepish officials from the country’s Railway Ministry said this week that they would introduce new ones to be washed after every use, the Press Trust of India reported.

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Blankets used by Indian Railways passengers are currently washed every two months, a junior minister for the railways admitted two weeks ago. The lightweight, state-of-the-art bedcovers replacing them are being designed by the country’s National Institute of Fashion technology, and will reportedly be made of a mixture of wool and cotton.

But don’t get too excited. The washable blankets are only going to be offered “in a few selected premier trains to begin,” a senior railway official said. Passengers on regular trains will have to put up with seriously grubby bed coverings for a while yet.

[PTI]

Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com.