Linen, blanket, curtain service resumed in 22 trains
   Date :14-Apr-2022

Linen blanket 
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
In a major relief to the passengers, Railways has resumed providing curtain, blanket and linen in AC coaches of 22 pairs of trains under West Central Railway.
This includes trains under Bhopal, Jabalpur and Kota divisions. There are six trains under Bhopal Division to start providing curtain, linen and blankets in AC coaches from immediate effect. This includes train no 12183/84 Bhopal-Pratapgarh-Bhopal Express, 22165/66 Bhopal/Singrauli-Bhopal Express, 12155/12156 Rani Kamalapati-Hazrat Nizamuddin, Rani Kamalapati Shaan –e-Bhopal Express, 12185/86 Rani Kamalapti-Rewa-Rani Kamalapati Rewanchal Express, 22172/71 Rani Kamalapati-Pune-Rani Kamalapati Humsafar Express and 01665/66 Rani Kamalapati-Agartala-Rani Kamalapati Special train.
There are 11 pairs of train under Jabalpur Division and five pair of trains under Kota division to start providing linen and blankets. Besides, Railways has assured to start the service in 7 pairs of (originating/terminate) within week. Officials of railway said that they are making all efforts to start the service of linen and curtain in trains at earliest. There were announcement by railway to start providing linen and blankets in trains by end of March but out of 138 trains, 76 trains under Bhopal division could not provide the same. Railways has earlier said to provide linen set in all trains by April 5 but it could not be followed yet. There are 138 trains passing through Bhopal station out of which 76 trains have no blanket, linen and bed roll.
Besides, AC coaches of trains are yet to equip with curtains as well. Railway officials said that linen set and curtains are provided in all the six trains from Bhopal division. They said that Durg-Bhopal Amarkantak Express, Gorakhpur- LTT Superfast, Pune-Lucknow and other 40 per cent trains are providing linen and blankets. Railway Board has already withdrawn its restrictions on blanket, linen and curtain in March. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Saurabh Bandopadhyay visited the mechanised laundry of Bhopal Railway Station after this order and he asked to complete the process soon. Most of laundries at railway stations were closed since the first wave of COVID-19. Now, officials have asked to revamp the machinery and start washing, servicing the linen sets. Railways has earlier suspended providing blankets, linen and curtains after COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Bhopal Railway Division said that order to resume linen, blanket has been released by the board. Preparation for the same has begun on division level and soon passengers will get the facility. Meals in train have also begun in many trains.
Railway officials said that demand for bedroll in AC coaches was being made by passengers on continuous basis. People are facing several inconveniences in lack of bed roll in AC coaches and they have no other option except carrying the luggage from home.
Concerned over the facility and demand of passengers, railway had written letter to the board demanding to resume the service.