We all have been the victims of moldy and stinky blankets provided by the Railways. This is because the bedrolls currently in use are only washed once or at the most twice a month – quite an unhygienic practice. But that is all about to change soon. Indian Railways is introducing new lightweight blankets which can be washed after every use. As per the announcement, the new blankets will be made out of a softer material and will replace the ones which are currently being used. These new blankets can then be washed every day, after every use.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology is designing the new bedrolls.

NIFT has designed the fabric of the new bedrolls, which is a unique mixture of cotton and wool, and will have a long shelf-life while also being able to endure daily washing. Additionally, the bedrolls are being made colourful because travellers have been surveyed to prefer them over plain white ones.

The plans undertaken also involve setting up of new laundries at multiple stations.

Indian Railways plans to install new state-of-the-art mechanised laundries at stations throughout the country in the near future. The focus will be on hygiene and daily washing of the new bedrolls that the ministry has commissioned.