• Source:JND

Passengers in AC coaches often complain about dirty bedrolls, particularly on long-distance trains where they frequently report being provided with used blankets and sheets. Indian Railways has finally found a solution to address these grievances.

New Dual-Side Loading System For Bedrolls

In a major policy shift, bedrolls will now be loaded from both ends of the journey for long-distance trains. In the first phase, this new facility will be implemented in 42 trains across the country, including the Dikshabhumi Express (Dhanbad to Kolhapur). Currently, bedrolls for both the onward and return journeys are loaded only from the originating station.

Under the existing system, managing a massive inventory of bedrolls—distributing them to passengers and keeping washed linen separate from used ones—is a logistical challenge. This is especially difficult on long-distance routes. To fix this, Dinesh Mohan Singh, Deputy Director of Environment and Housekeeping Management at the Railway Board, has issued orders to all zones to implement separate loading at both the originating and destination stations.

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Extension To Premium And Interconnected Trains

Zonal railways have also been authorised to apply this system to future premium trains. This will require coordination with the destination zones. Railways have been instructed to conduct regular monitoring and gather feedback from both passengers and the staff responsible for bedroll distribution.

Passengers will also benefit from this facility on "interconnected" trains. For instance, services like the Ganga-Damodar Express and the Dhanbad-Patna Intercity, which share rakes or are linked across routes like Dhanbad-Patna and Patna-Singrauli, will now see the restoration of this improved linen management system.

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Successful Pilot: Vivek Express

The railway has already initiated a pilot project on India’s longest-running train, the Dibrugarh-Kanyakumari Vivek Express, which covers 4,155 km in 74 hours and 20 minutes. Linen is now being supplied from both Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari. Consequently, passengers on this three-day journey are now receiving fresh, clean blankets and bedsheets from both ends.

Selected Trains For The First Phase

Several key routes have been selected for this rollout, including:

  • Asansol-Gonda Express
  • Jaynagar-New Delhi Swatantrata Senani Express
  • Katihar-Amritsar Amrapali Express
  • Bandra-Barauni Avadh Express
  • Kamakhya-Udaipur City Kaviguru Express
  • Lucknow-Chandigarh Express
  • Dadar-Mysuru Express
  • Dibrugarh-Chandigarh Express

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