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Linen, blankets and curtains make a comeback in AC coaches after 2 years
The facilities of providing lines, blankets were stopped in AC coaches as per standard operating procedures for movement of passengers by trains during the outbreak of Corona since March 21
After a hiatus of around two years, passengers travelling in AC coaches of New Delhi-bound Prayagraj Express on Friday night were provided with linen and blankets and curtains.
These facilities were stopped in AC coaches as per standard operating procedures for movement of passengers by trains during the outbreak of Corona since March 21, 2020, railway officials said.
“The decision was taken by the Railway Board on March 10 to restart the facilities. Following this, the facilities were immediately restored in the most reputed train of the division, the Prayagraj Express, from Friday night. The services would be extended in all seven trains originating from Prayagraj Junction of Prayagraj division prior to March 21, 2020,” said public relation officer of Prayagraj division, Amit Kumar Singh.
As the facility was stopped overnight after lockdown in March 2020, the entire stock of linen, blankets, pillow and their covers besides towels were dumped in the mechanised laundry of the division.
The laundry, located near Prayagraj junction, has the capacity of cleaning around 18,000 linens per day along with around 7000 blankets and as many pillows and making them available for trains. There are three washing machines, each of 150 kg washing load, at the facility. Besides, there are two calendaring machines, a huge 60kg capacity tumbler and one drycleaner. Prior to closing the facility in March 2020, around 60 staff used to work here, most of them being women.
However, since the facility remained non-operational for two years, not only the outsourced workforce has to be brought back but also the damage of linen, blankets, pillow etc has to be ascertained.
Laundry staff say it would take around a week to resume its optimum functioning capacity.
