Based on the results of the pilot program, blanket covers to be provided in all Indian Railways train coaches that provide blankets with bed rolls
The Indian Minister for Railways announced today that Indian Railways has started a pilot program to use blanket covers over the blankets provided in the bed rolls of their trains, to address the passenger concerns on the cleanliness of the blankets.
Speaking to the media, today on 16 October 2025, the Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that blankets have been used in our railway system for years, but there has always been a doubt in the minds of our passengers (alluding to the concerns about how frequently the blankets were washed). To remove that doubt, he said that a new initiative has been taken today, which is the introduction of blanket covers in Indian Railways trains.
He further stated that Indian Railways has begun providing blanket covers on a pilot basis (which means, on trial basis), from today on a train from Jaipur, and after carefully assessing the results of this trial and its success, the same system of providing covers for the blankets will be followed in other trains of Indian Railways across the country.
In Indian Railways, blankets are provided to passengers as part of a free bedroll kit in all AC First Class, AC 2-tier sleeper and AC 3-tier sleeper classes. If you're a passenger in any one of these classes of coaches, you can avail these bed rolls comprising of one blanket, one pillow, 2 bed sheets and one face towel with a pillow, irrespective of whether you're boarding the train at the starting station or from any intermediate stations.
You can use these bed rolls until the end of your journey on the train, irrespective of the number of nights of journey involved. You have to return your bed roll to the Coach Attendant one hour before the arrival of the train at the destination station.
While this bed roll service is free in other trains where they're available, it is available for a payment of Rs 25/- on Garib Rath Express trains.
The passenger concerns regarding the blankets arises from the fact that how frequently these blankets are being washed.
As per news reports, an RTI inquiry has revealed that wool blankets provided in Indian Railways are washed at least once a month, and sometimes twice, depending on capacity and logistics, while the bed sheets are washed after every use.
This practice of washing the blankets only once or twice a month has raised hygiene concerns among passengers, who are often encouraged to use the second bed-sheet as a cover to ensure they do not come into direct contact with the blankets
Even when there's an extra bed sheet provided for this purpose of placing it between them and the blanket above it, many were unhappy and raised concerns about the blankets not being cleaned after every use. For even though you may use a bed-sheet between yourself and the blanket, it won't protect us from, say, if the blanket is filthy, when we touch it, or if it may have been infested with bedbugs, etc.
While the bed sheets are easier to wash and quicker to dry, it is not as easy to wash the wool blankets and dry them quickly as they're thicker and heavier, which is probably the reason why they're being cleaned less frequently.
Now, this is where blanket covers come into picture. Blanket covers, also known as duvet covers, are used for protection of the blankets.
A blanket cover is used to cover the entire blanket and the whole blanket will be inside it. These covers serve as a washable outer layer that protects the blanket from dirt, spills, and sweat, while also allowing for providing a soft, comfortable sleeping surface. They can also work as an extra barrier against allergens.
As a blanket cover will completely cover the blanket that lies inside it, only the cover can be removed and washed after each and every use, as the blanket inside it won't be exposed outside or be touched by anyone or anything.
This not only prolongs the life of the underlying blanket, but will also reduce the need of the blanket to be cleaned more frequently, as only the cover needs frequent cleaning.
The cover will also acts as a barrier against allergens like dust mites, and as it is easily washable, it will help in maintain a cleaner sleeping environment.
So, this is really a welcome move by the Indian Railways, to provide blanket covers over the blankets.
Currently it is being in run on a pilot basis on selected trains only, that is, on a trial, and they say that it will be introduced in other trains based on the results of this trial run, we hope it soon gets introduced in all train coaches that provide blankets.
- Post on X by Ministry of Railways @RailMinIndia. 12:33 PM, Oct 16, 2025
- Bed- Rolls - South Eastern Railway, Indian Railways Portal. Last Reviewed : 13-10-2015. Retrieved on 16 October 2025
- Wool blankets washed ‘once a month’: Railways - The New Indian Express, by Jose K Joseph, Updated on: 21 Oct 2024, 7:34 am.