Jaipur, Oct 16 – Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw began a new pilot test in Jaipur’s Khatipura station this Thursday. He rolled out blanket covers that feature classic Sanganeri prints, a first for the Indian Railways.
The first set of covers was handed to a passenger on the 8:45 pm Jaipur–Ahmedabad (Asarva) Express. The move aims to make train journeys cleaner and more comfortable. Passengers who previously used plain blankets now get a washable, printed cover that stays hygienic even after multiple washes.
Vaishnaw said the project will expand nationwide if the trial succeeds, after many travelers complained about the cleanliness of shared blankets. “Just as we use blankets with covers at home, passengers will now receive them in trains,” he told reporters. The covers also showcase traditional Indian textiles, helping promote regional crafts across the network.
Alongside the blanket launch, the minister unveiled a Rs 100 crore investment to upgrade 65 small‑ and medium‑sized stations in the North Western Railway zone. New and extended platforms, digital signboards, coach‑position displays, and an Integrated Passenger Information System (IPIS) are all part of the upgrade.
“The old platforms have been extended fully, and platform sheds are now installed,” Vaishnaw explained. “Digital signboards and coach‐position displays provide real‑time information, while the IPIS offers a seamless experience for every passenger.”
Attendees at the event included Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, Bagru MLA Kailash Chand Verma, North Western Railway GM Amitabh, and other senior railway officials.
Passengers on board welcomed the change. “Earlier, blankets had no covers. Now, with clean covers, hygiene will be maintained,” one rider said. Another added, “I often bring my own blanket because of allergies, so this initiative gives me confidence that the railways care about hygiene.”
The pilot project’s success will determine whether this new blanket cover idea, along with the station upgrades, goes nationwide—bringing fresh, traditional designs and cleaner travel comfort to passengers across India.
Source: ianslive
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