In a First, Indian Railways Introduces Printed Blanket Covers

Indian Railways has decided to add colours to the train journey of the passengers. Yes, in a new initiative Indian Railways has started rolling out blanket covers for AC Coaches. Gone are those days of black blankets that resembled something from the Hospital.

The pilot project has been started from Jaipur’s Khatipura Railway Station. The pilot project was started with Jaipur-Ahmedabad (Asarva) Express, as the AC passengers of this coach were the first to receive the coloured blankets. The blanket covers feature Sanganeri prints, a traditional design format from Rajasthan.

Passengers’ Long-Standing Demand

For years, passengers have raised the same issue: while bedsheets and pillow covers in trains are washed regularly, blankets are not. They’re cleaned only once or twice a month, and that never felt entirely comfortable to many travellers.

The new idea is simple — each blanket will now come with a washable fabric cover. This way, passengers can use it without hesitation, and the Railways can keep the bedding service more hygienic and easier to maintain.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched it in Jaipur, describing it as a move that brings both “cleanliness and comfort” to passengers. Earlier the blanket covers even looked boring and bland with the same black cover. Now, just like in our homes, we will also have blanket covers in the Indian Railways.

A Touch of Rajasthan’s Craftsmanship

The new blanket covers will be adorned with Sanaganeri print. It is a centuries-old block printing style developed in a city named Sanaganeri situated near Jaipur. In this style artisans used hand made blocks to stamp the prints on cotton or muslin.

In Sanaganeri print, artisans use nature as their inspiration, implementing different varieties of floral patterns in their designs. Light hues, made naturally are used to colour over white or other medium coloured backgrounds.

Why It Matters

Anyone who’s travelled long distances in AC coaches knows the quiet discomfort of using a reused blanket. With the introduction of these covered blankets, passengers can now expect something that feels more like home — colourful, clean, and personal.

Officials pointed out another benefit: printed covers tend to hide stains and wear better than plain white ones. They also last longer and add some visual warmth to the coaches, breaking the monotony of standard train interiors. 

Blankets also cover a significant portion of your berth and overall view of the train. The new patterns will also bring visible beauty to the trains along with hygiene and cleanliness. 

Blending Hygiene with Heritage

What makes this step special is the mix of practicality and culture. On one hand, it tackles a long-standing hygiene concern; on the other, it supports Rajasthan’s hand-block printing artisans. The Railways carries millions of people every day — and now, even a simple blanket can tell a story of Indian craftsmanship.

If the pilot succeeds, the idea could travel beyond Rajasthan, giving space to local designs from other states as well.

RailMitra At Your Service

While the Indian Railways is taking steps to make your journey special, you can make your travel comfortable as well with RailMitra services. Here are some of the important services you can use at this platform:

• Train Seat Availability: If you want to book a new train ticket, you must check if there are seats available in that train. With RailMitra you can check your train seat availability in seconds.

• Live Train Running Status: Trains are often delayed. The official time table fails to track train accurately as they are delayed. In such situations, you can use RailMitra’s live train running status to track your train live and also the platform on which your train will arrive.

• Order Food in Train: If you are craving tasty and hot food in train, no need to worry. RailMitra brings to you, restaurant quality food on train, which will be served directly on your train seat.

Looking Ahead

The project is still in its trial phase. The feedback from the first users would be duly collected and analysed. After proper analysis, Indian Railways would decide whether to extend this to all the trains or not.  

As of now, this is still in the pilot phase. This new step will definitely bring a fresh look and feel to the Indian trains.