Good news for Indian Railways passengers, restrictions on bedroll and blankets revoked

DELHI (Metro Rail News): Good news for Indian Railways passengers as now they do not have to carry linen and blankets for their train journeys. In a major relief to passengers, the government issued orders on Thursday, 10th March, to resume providing linen, blankets as well as curtains inside trains.

In view of pandemic and covid protocol due to Covid-19, Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for movement of passengers by trains was issued which imposed the restriction on linen, blankets and curtains inside trains. The Railway Board said the supply of linen, blankets and curtains would resume with immediate effect.

The government previously suspended the service of providing meals, linen and most of its concessions due to pandemic but now has reintroduced these onboard facilities. In an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus, former Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had decided to withdraw the provision of blankets along with curtains in air-conditioned coaches of all train services but certain arrangements were made so that blankets are provided to train passengers on demand. When the restrictions were in place passengers were advised to bring their own blankets for their long train journeys.

Now first AC class passengers will be provided with blankets on demand with freshly washed covers according to the reports. Other than that spare blankets and curtains were said to be washed, dried and stored in a dry, clean storage facility. Indian Railways had said that 100 per cent fresh washed linen will be provided to train passengers in sealed packets as per instructions.