Indian Railways will not provide blankets in AC coaches even after COVID-19 subsides

Indian Railways anunced that it will t provide passengers travelling in AC coaches with blankets and bedsheets even after coronavirus subsides. Indian Railways Board Chairman, Vid Kumar Yav said that this decision was taken in order to maintain hygiene during journey following COVID-19 pandemic. In March when coronavirus lockdown was anunced, Central and Western railways stopped using curtains and blankets in AC coaches of all trains in order to reduce spre of COVID-19.

On Saturday, Indian Railways Board Chairman VK Yav anunced that passengers travelling in AC coaches will have to carry ir own bed sheets and blankets 'even after coronavirus pandemic subsides'. A detailed policy has been formed in this regard in order to maintain hygiene in Indian railways post-COVID-19 as well, he ded. "We have decided to give a single-use bed to passengers or passengers can carry ir own bed sheets and blankets even after pandemic subsides. For this, a detailed policy has been formulated and a decision has been taken," said  Indian Railways Board Chairman.

In March 2020, following COVID-19 outbreak, Indian Railways stopped providing blankets and curtains in AC coaches while stating that y are t washed after every trip even after ir instructions. In order to maintain hygiene and reduce spre of coronavirus, blankets and curtains were withdrawn from service and Indian railway passengers were requested to bring ir own blankets. New blankets were also ordered by Indian railways to replace older ones amid COVID-19 pandemic.  

Zero-Based Time Table

While rubbishing media reports that railways may stop operating about 500 trains, Indian Railways Board Chairman said, " decision has been taken to stop operation of any train r will any station be closed." Yav also spoke about upcoming  Zero-Based Time Table which is being developed in collaboration with IIT Mumbai. Indian Railways Board chairman said that this time table is aimed at reducing unnecessary stopp of trains and make rail travel convenient, efficient and congestion-free which will also improve speed of train. "It is also possible that some new trains would be introduced or existing trains might be renamed or rescheduled," he ded.
(With inputs from ANI)