Despite Winters, Indian Railways Refuse To Give Blankets: You Need To Buy Them

In a statement, Indian Railways clarified  not to resume the services of providing bedrolls and blankets in the passenger trains.

No More Bedrolls And Blankets For Railways Passengers

As the winter season knocks on the door, Indian Railways passengers may have expected that it will resume the services of providing blankets in the trains.

But, now “As part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The service of the linen and blanket has been withdrawn by the Railways as a precautionary measure. With Covid-19 pandemic still there in the country, Railways decided to maintain this precautionary measure,” said Ashwini Vaishnav, Railway Minister in a written reply to a question of resumption of bedroll services in the passenger trains has stated, during the ongoing Winter session of the Parliament. 

Prior to this, Indian Railways immediately withdrew blankets and curtains  from service by last year in March in order to prevent spread of Covid-19. 

What Is The Solution? 

As Railways has clarified its take on resumption of the services, now passengers can buy disposable bedroll kits provided by the Indian Railways as per their need while traveling in the AC coaches of the passenger trains.

 The railway passengers traveling in AC Coaches will have to travel with their own blankets and bedsheets “even after the pandemic subsides, ” said Vinod Kumar Yadav, the former Railway Board Chairman last year. 

 Further adding, “We have decided to give a single-use bed to the passengers or the passengers can carry their own bedsheets and blankets even after the pandemic subsides”.

The Railways is putting efforts to maintain hygiene during the rail journey, Yadav said. 

That is why they have taken such a decision.

Concessional Tickets Not Resumed Yet

Apart from this, Indian Railways will not give concessional tickets to other passengers including senior citizen concessions in the fare yet.

 In view of the COVID pandemic and protocols, the concession in fares for all classes of some passengers will not be resumed yet, said Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Railway, Communications & Electronics & Information Technology Minister. 

This information was given in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha during the ongoing Winter session of the Parliament.