No more dirty bedsheets on trains? Indian Railways rolls out AI cameras to check linen quality

Indian Railways is testing an artificial intelligence-based system that can detect stains on washed linen at railway laundries before bedrolls are supplied to passengers, in a move aimed at improving cleanliness standards inside trains.

The pilot project using automated AI-camera stain detection technology has been launched at select laundries in the Pune Division of Central Railway and the Jaipur and Jodhpur divisions of North Western Railway, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The technology is being used to assess the quality of washed linen and identify stains that may not be detected through conventional inspection methods. The initiative comes amid long-standing passenger concerns over the cleanliness of bedsheets, pillow covers and blankets provided during train journeys.

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Responding to a question raised by Congress MP Chandrakant Handore on linen washing practices and the use of modern monitoring systems, Vaishnaw said mechanised laundries across Indian Railways are already using Whito-meters to evaluate the effectiveness of linen cleaning.

"CCTV cameras have been installed across laundries over IR to monitor laundry operations," the Railway Minister said.

He added that the AI-camera stain detection system is part of a pilot initiative to further improve quality checks at railway laundry facilities.

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What passengers get in a railway bedroll kit

A standard bedroll packet provided to passengers travelling in AC classes includes two bedsheets, one pillow cover and one hand towel.

Explaining the purpose of the two bedsheets, Vaishnaw said one sheet is meant to be placed on the berth, while the additional sheet acts as a protective layer between the passenger and the blanket.

According to the Railway Minister, the additional sheet used as a blanket cover is washed after every single use.

Addressing concerns about blanket hygiene, Vaishnaw said blanket covers are being provided to all AC class passengers in trains operated by North Western Railway.

The facility has also been introduced in the newly launched Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Kamakhya and Howrah.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring that blankets have less direct contact with passengers and improving overall travel comfort, he said.

The AI-based inspection system is currently limited to selected railway divisions as a pilot project. Depending on its effectiveness, the technology could potentially be expanded to more railway laundry facilities.

With PTI inputs