Train passengers to get softer blankets

Train passengers travelling in air conditioned coaches can look forward to better quality blankets soon as the national transporter has revised the specifications.

According to the latest instructions issued by the Railway Board to zonal railways, blankets should be clean and free of grease, soap, filling or any other admixture, which would give fictitious mass or firmness to the blankets.

Instead of the woollen blankets in use, the revised specifications said that the fibre content of the blankets should be 60 % wool, 15 % nylon and the weight should be 450 grams.

"Soft blanket of superior quality with four-side satin piping not less than 4 cm stitches per centimeter should be provided for AC coach passengers," said the order.

At present, the blanket comes in a smaller size, weighs 2.2 kg and is used for four years.

Wash cycle

"These blankets with revised specifications should be washed preferably twice a month subject to availability...in case of constraints, washing should be done at least once a month.

"Life of the blankets with revised specifications and increased washing frequency is reduced initially to two years," the note said, adding that this could be revised after a year.

Currently, blankets are being washed at a periodicity by zonal railways that ranges from once every fortnight, once a month and even once in two-three months.