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The <keyword id="20154955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cleanliness" source="keywords">cleanliness</keyword> of blankets provided on <keyword id="19909154" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Railways">Indian Railways</keyword>, especially in <keyword id="20228376" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AC-coaches" source="keywords">AC coaches</keyword>, has been a subject of concern for many passengers. In a recent <keyword id="20738107" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RTI-response" source="keywords">RTI response</keyword> to The New Indian Express, the <keyword id="19905911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ministry of Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ministry of Railways">Ministry of Railways</keyword> revealed that while bed linen such as bedsheets and pillow covers are washed after each use, the <keyword id="23642810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="woollen-blankets" source="keywords">woollen blankets</keyword> are to be washed at least once a month, preferably twice, depending on logistical constraints. However, interviews with around 20 <keyword id="23553107" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="housekeeping-staff" source="keywords">housekeeping staff</keyword> from long-distance trains painted a different picture. Most confirmed that the blankets are typically washed just once a month, and are cleaned more frequently only if visibly dirty or smelly. This discrepancy raises concerns about whether passengers are truly receiving clean and hygienic blankets. Interestingly, the fare passengers pay for AC coach travel includes the cost of <keyword id="23642811" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bedrolls" source="keywords">bedrolls</keyword>, which cover blankets, bedsheets, and pillow covers. In premium trains like Garib Rath and Duronto, however, passengers must pay extra if they wish to receive a bedroll. The challenge of ensuring clean blankets is further complicated by the use of heavy woollen blankets, which, according to a retired senior officer from the Environment and Housekeeping Management (EnHM), are cumbersome to wash regularly. She suggested that Indian Railways should discontinue their use, given the difficulty in maintaining cleanliness. Indian Railways operates 46 departmental laundries and 25 Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) laundries across the country. While the railways own the land and machinery for these laundries, much of the laundry staff is hired on a contractual basis, making oversight and consistency a challenge. For passengers, the cleanliness of blankets remains an area of concern, urging the need for Indian Railways to rethink its approach to onboard <keyword id="20200712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hygiene" source="keywords">hygiene</keyword>.

Indian Railways only washes its woollen blankets once a month, reveals RTI!

<ul><li>The <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> has decided to ditch the old ‘high maintenance’ heavy woollen blankets and make way for new ones that can be washed twice a month.</li><li> A <keyword id="6359828" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="comptroller-and-auditor-general">Comptroller and Auditor General</keyword> (CAG) report released last year revealed that some blankets were washed at an interval of 6-26 months. </li><li>On a typical day, the railways use around 3,90,000 blankets for passengers travelling in AC classes. </li></ul> If the idea of a train journey through the waxing and waning topography of rural India fills you with a sense of nostalgia, if you are yearning for that hot matka of chai at a railway station on a chilly winter morning, if you think that people who spend thousands of rupees to take a 2-hour flight are plain stupid, perhaps the fact that railways blankets are washed once in two months will make you pause, rewind and opt for an alternate mode of transport. However, now the Indian Railways has decided to ditch the old ‘high maintenance’ heavy woollen blankets and make way for new ones that can be washed twice a month! This move may have something to do with a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report released last year that revealed that some blankets were washed at an interval of 6-26 months, amongst numerous other <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/now-cag-criticises-indian-railways-over-dirty-linen-blankets-and-pillows/story-g9UMcL4c4qll5PwYrpbwbJ.html">issues</a> the report flagged. Not only that, used blankets will be sanitised ‘regularly’ before being passed on to the next user. (Currently, a blanket is sanitised once in <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/budget-2016/rail-budget-2016/You-smelt-it-right-Railways-washes-blankets-every-two-months/articleshow/51162191.cms">15 days</a>.) And finally, the service life of a blanket, which is the amount of time a blanket will be used, has been reduced to two years, as opposed to four. The woollen blankets they have now cost around Rs. 400 per piece. However, needless to say, this ‘upgraded’ mix of woollen and nylon is expected to cost almost double. But that’s a price the railways may be willing to pay, considering the number of complaints they get from travellers raising a stink about dirty, smelly blankets. The directive from the railways to all zones says that ideally, these new blankets are to be washed twice a month, subject to available capacity and logistics arrangements. But should this prove to be a tall order, the blankets need to be washed <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/blankets-for-ac-travellers-to-be-washed-twice-a-month/articleshow/64745089.cms?utm_source=Colombia&amp;utm_medium=OrganicNative&amp;utm_campaign=CTN&amp;utm_content=19">‘minimum once in a month.’</a> On a typical day, the railways use around 3,90,000 blankets for passengers travelling in AC classes. And while those lucky enough to travel in the first class receive a changed blanket cover after every use, those travelling in AC second and third class don’t. Those whose weren’t aware of these facts and numbers may take solace in the fact that the Indian Railways is aiming to provide a fresh set of train linen and blanket for ‘each journey’. In fact, there are already 50 mechanised laundries and the railways plan to add ten more shortly.

Blankets provided on trains by Indian Railways will soon be fresher and cleaner

The <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> is planning to discontinue giving blankets in some AC trains, following criticism that it gives dirty blankets to passengers. Recently, a CAG report criticised the railways on cleanliness and hygiene in trains and stations. Instead, railways is working on a pilot project to maintain the temperature of the <keyword id="6369612" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="AC-coaches">AC coaches</keyword>. The railways will work on a pilot project and maintain the temperature at 24°C in these AC coaches, up from the current 19°C. According to initial estimates, the move to do away with blankets is an economical option, considering that it takes Rs 55 to clean the bedroll while passengers are charged just Rs 22 for it. Railways guidelines stipulate that the blankets are to be washed every one to two months, which was not being followed, resulting in the transporter being flooded with complaints.

Railways might discontinue giving blankets in some AC trains. Here’s why

<keyword id="1204894" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Indian-railways">The Indian Railways</keyword> on Thursday announced cancellation of all regular trains till August 12, but said that <keyword id="49159" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Special-trains">special trains</keyword> will continue to operate. The development comes in the backdrop of a surge in Covid-19 cases across the country. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76618590" title="How does IRCTC make money" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> In a notification, <keyword id="4905924" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Railway-Board">the Railway Board</keyword> said that tickets booked for the regular time-tabled trains for journey dates from July 1 to August 12 stand cancelled. It added, "It has been decided that regular time-tabled <keyword id="68590" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="passenger-services">passenger services</keyword> including Mail or Express, passenger and suburban services stand cancelled up to 12.08.2020." The Railway Board, however, added that "all special Rajdhani, mail and express trains that started operating from May 12 and June 1, however, will continue to operate." A Railway spokesperson said, "We have only enabled refunds for trains which are not being operated and for which tickets have been booked prior to lock down and up to 14.04.2020." "No trains which are presently operational have been cancelled. Special Trains will continue to run. As far as running of more trains are concerned, all will be informed and bookings will be done, as and when a decision is taken about them. There is no blanket order ruling out running of more trains till 12th August," the spokesperson added. On Tuesday, the Railways had announced to cancel all train tickets booked for regular trains on or prior to April 14 and said that refunds will be generated for the same. The Railways had suspended the operation of all passenger, mail and express trains from March 25 amid the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. On May 14, the Railways had cancelled all regular train tickets booked for travel till June 30. The Railways had introduced Shramik Special trains from May 1 to transport stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, students and tourists. It then launched 15 pairs of Special AC trains from May 12 and 200 time-tabled trains from June 1. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/irctc-website-crashes-as-it-reopened-for-booking-after-50-days-now-it-will-be-open-for-bookings-from-6-pm/articleshow/75675640.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">IRCTC website crashes as it reopened for booking after 50 days — now, it will be open for bookings from 6 pm</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indian-railways-new-rules-for-train-passengers-no-linen-and-only-packaged-food-allowed/articleshow/75675286.cms?_ga=2.9598773.1017742101.1592740209-81863974.1580121362" data-type="tilCustomLink">Indian Railways' new rules for train passengers —no linen and only packaged food allowed</a>

Indian Railways cancels all regular trains till Aug 12, special trains to continue

On the very first day of train services' resumption, there was a massive response from the people, with over 1.5 lakh <keyword id="47725" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="passengers">passengers</keyword> booking tickets till Tuesday evening across India. To be precise, 1,69,039 passengers had booked 90,331 tickets so far. This data was released by the Railways Ministry and across all the 30 special air conditioned trains that are being run. Almost 48 days after suspension of all passenger train services amid the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> pandemic, two special air conditioned train departed from New Delhi on Tuesday evening, officials said. Such resumption of services happened from other major cities as well. According to Northern Railway officials, the restoration of passenger train services started on Tuesday in a graded manner. The passenger train services had been suspended since March 25. Meanwhile, Railway premises and platforms were sanitized at regular intervals to prevent infection, said Northern Railway spokesperson Deepak Kumar. Wearing masks was mandatory and passengers were encouraged to carry their own blankets, water and food for the trip, he added. The railways has issued a time-table for trains to be run between May 12 and May 20. These daily, weekly or bi-weekly trains will run between New Delhi and all major cities of the country -- Dibrugarh, Agartala, Howrah, Patna, Bilaspur, Ranchi, <keyword id="50863" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhubaneswar">Bhubaneswar</keyword>, Secunderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, <keyword id="6357416" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="thiruvananthapuram">Thiruvananthapuram</keyword>, Madgaon, Mumbai Central, <keyword id="5065" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ahmedabad">Ahmedabad</keyword> and Jammu Tawi. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-the-name-of-coronavirus-containment-zones-in-mumbai/articleshow/75045928.cms">List of coronavirus hotspot in mumbai</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/data-of-coronavirus-patients-state-wise-in-india/articleshow/74669748.cms">Coronavirus cases in India state wise</a>

1.7 lakh passengers book tickets as Indian Railways restarts operations

<ul><li>The shares IRCTC climbed over 5%, hitting the upper circuit set by the stock exchanges. </li><li>The stellar rally in the stock was triggered by <keyword id="6355455" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> decision to resume 200 Special trains that will run from June 1. </li><li>Railways on Wednesday (May 21) released the list of 200 Special trains and said that these would be fully reserved trains having both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned classes.</li></ul>The shares of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a subsidiary of the Indian Railways, climbed over 5% hitting the upper circuit set by the stock exchanges within a few minutes of trading on May 21. The company is a nearly $3 billion monopoly in the catering, tourism and online ticketing operations for Indian railways. The stellar rally in the stock was triggered by Indian Railways decision to resume 200 Special trains that will run from June 1. Railways on Wednesday (May 21) released the list of 200 Special trains and said that these would be fully reserved trains having both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned classes. The bookings for these trains commenced today on May 21 at 10 am through IRCTC website. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[<div class="flourish-embed flourish-chart" data-src="visualisation/2494125" data-url="https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/2494125/embed"></div>]]></cdata></div>A Railway Ministry spokesperson, in a statement, said that Indian Railways, in consultation with Ministries of Health &amp; Family Welfare, and Home Affairs, has decided that train services will be further partially restored with effect from June 1. However, other regular passenger services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice, he said. The announcement comes a day after Railway Minister <keyword id="6355222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal">Piyush Goyal</keyword> announced running of the 200 Special trains from June 1. The railways have been operating Shramik Special trains to transport the stranded migrant workers, tourists, pilgrims and students from May 1, and from May 12, began 15 pairs of Special air-conditioned trains. The official said that these 200 Special trains would be fully reserved. "General coaches shall also have reserved seats for sitting. There will be no unreserved coach in the train," he said. He also said that fares should be as normal and for General coaches, being reserved, a second seating fare shall be charged and seats will be provided to all the passengers. SOPs for Passengers The official said that only online e-ticketing would be done through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. "No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter on any railway station. Booking of tickets through 'agents' — both IRCTC and railway -- shall not be permitted," he said, adding that the advance reservation period in these trains will be 30 days. The official said that wait-lists and reservation against cancellation tickets would also be generated. "However, passengers with wait-listed tickets will not be allowed to board the train," he said. The official said that no tickets would be issued onboard to any passenger during the journey and no Tatkal and Premium Tatkal booking shall be permitted in these trains. According to the official, the first chart will be prepared at least four hours before scheduled departure and the second will be prepared at least 2 hours, unlike the present practice of 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. The railway official said that all passengers should be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to enter or board the train. "A limited number of reservation counters shall be operated for this purpose. However, normal ticket booking cannot be made through these counters," the official said. The railways also said that only four categories of Divyangjan concession and 11 categories of patient concessions are permitted in these special trains. Passengers were advised to arrive at the station 90 minutes before the departure of the train, and wear face masks. The official also said that on arrival at their destination, the passengers would have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state/UT. The Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Ticket and Refund of Fare) Rules, 2015 shall be applicable for cancellation and instructions have already been issued regarding the refund of fare in case passenger is not found fit for travelling due to symptoms of the coronavirus. The official also said that no catering charges should be included in the fare. "Provision for pre-paid meal booking, e-catering shall be disabled. However, IRCTC shall make provision for limited eatables and packaged drinking water on payment basis only in limited trains, having pantry car attached," he said, adding passengers are encouraged to carry their own food and drinking water. The official said that no linen, blankets and curtains should be provided inside the train. "Passengers are advised to carry their own linen for the travel. The temperature inside AC coaches shall be suitably regulated for this purpose," he said. Arogya Setu app is mandatory for any passenger to travel in these 200 special trains. (With inputs from wire services) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/within-minutes-indigos-shares-nearly-halve-their-losses-since-march-end-after-india-allows-local-flights-to-resume-from-may-25-spicejet-soars-too/articleshow/75859878.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Within minutes, IndiGo’s shares nearly halve their losses since March-end after India allows local flights to resume from May 25⁠— SpiceJet soars too</a>

IRCTC shares hit upper circuit after Indian Railways start bookings for 200 special trains from May 21

The <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railways">Indian Railways</keyword> has received a lot of flak not only from passengers but also from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) that lashed out at it for failing to meet the <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/now-cag-criticises-indian-railways-over-dirty-linen-blankets-and-pillows/story-g9UMcL4c4qll5PwYrpbwbJ.html">basic hygiene standards</a> and highlighted critical safety <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-after-andheri-rob-collapse-audit-reports-of-overbridges-come-into-limelight-2633028">flaws</a> in the <keyword id="17408" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="infrastructure">infrastructure</keyword>. And while there are numerous examples of how the railways is trying to spruce things up a bit and get their act together, fact is, apart from the relatively lighter changes like placing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-railways-is-going-to-live-stream-its-kitchens-to-the-world-to-ensure-transparency/articleshow/64600841.cms">cameras in kitchens</a> and acquiring <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/blankets-provided-on-trains-by-indian-railways-will-soon-be-fresher-and-cleaner/articleshow/64764828.cms">blankets</a> that can be washed twice a month, the railways is engaged in some heavy duty changes that are geared towards safety, convenience and basic timeliness of the <keyword id="6360847" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="trains">trains</keyword>. According to a report by the <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/how-aging-creaking-crumbling-railways-is-getting-a-new-life/articleshow/64852991.cms">Economic Times</a>, here are ten key changes the Indian Railways is currently indulging in. <ol><li>Eliminating unmanned railway crossings: A little over two months after the unfortunate <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/india/kushinagar-accident-14-children-killed-as-train-hits-school-bus-at-railway-crossing-1729955.html">Kushinagar train accident</a> when a train rammed into a school van killing 14 children at an unmanned railway crossing (UMLC), the railways is aggressively working on eliminating all unmanned railway crossings. To achieve this it has given itself a deadline of 31 March 2020. In fact, the railways has already <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/railways-eliminates-all-unmanned-level-crossings-from-4-zones-5239251/">eliminated</a> all UMLCs in four zones on <keyword id="409555" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="broad-gauge">broad gauge</keyword> routes in July — West Central Railway, Central Railway, Eastern Railway and South East Central Railway — and is well on its way to eliminating unmanned level crossings in 11 zones by September 2018. <div type="image" title="pexels-photo-892541." tempid="406286" msid="64859688" hostid="261"></div>

 </li><li>Giving old, worn-out tracks an upgrade: A <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/586-train-accidents-in-last-5-years-53-due-to-derailments/articleshow/60141578.cms">Times of India</a> report in October 2017 claimed that almost 53% of the 586 train accidents in the last five years were due to derailments. And ageing and/or defective railways tracks is one of the primary causes of derailments. Therefore, the railways has boosted its efforts to replace its ageing tracks and repair defective ones. In fact, the railways claim that there is a 50% increase in rail track renewal from 2,926 kilometres in 2013-14 to 4,405 kilometres in 2017-18. </li><li>Construction of foot-over-bridges: In September 2017, a stampede at <keyword id="6358070" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="mumbai">Mumbai</keyword>’s Elphinstone Railway Station foot-over-bridge claimed 22 lives. The cause of the stampede is not clear but it is quite apparent that the bridge was too narrow and clearly not sufficient to handle the daily footfall of the station. In fact, a <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/sep/29/mumbai-elphinstone-station-stampede-railways-ignored-warning-that-its-foot-over-bridges-are-narrow-1664659.html">CAG report in 2006</a> had flagged that the railways had reduced the width of the bridges and stated that foot-over-bridges should be at least 6 m width at all suburban railway platforms. However, now the railways claims that they have managed to up its game and has constructed 74 bridges per year between 2014-18 which is a 221% jump from 23 per year during 2009-14. </li><li>Device to guide train drivers through fog: Come winters, rail travel becomes a massive nightmare. Lack of visibility thanks to extreme fog inevitably leads to delays and accidents. But in December 2017, the national transporter installed <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/dec/12/indian-railways-to-use-gps-enabled-devices-to-fight-fog-this-season-1725490.html">4,920 GPS-enabled FOG PASS devices</a> to help loco pilots navigate through the fog. The gadget displays a map of tracks, signals, stations and level crossings and alerts drivers of approaching signals 500 meters ahead, which in turn helps the driver increase or decrease the speed of the train. Believe it or not, before these devices, the common practice to alert drivers was to tie <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Railways-tie-crackers-to-beat-fog/articleshow/45526196.cms">crackers</a> to the tracks. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="vignesh-moorthy-419909-unsplash" msid="64859532" hostid="261"></div>

















 Photo by : <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/n9dBt4g2Ss4?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Vignesh Moorthy</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/india?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash </a><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/india?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText"></a></li><li>Improved signalling system: In order to eradicate outdated manual signalling, the government pumped in a whopping ₹12990 million to modernise the system. This new automated signalling system aims to enhance safety and speed up train movement in a congested network. Apart from this, the railways intends to provide electronic interlocking systems, introduce European Train Control System technology and mobile train radio communication systems as a part of its five-year upgradation agenda. </li><li>Waterproof engines: Heavy rainfall has historically added to the woes of Indian commuters. Waterlogging not only on roads but also on railway tracks lead to delays and brings cities like Mumbai to a standstill. However, the Indian Railways plans to remedy the issue by introducing waterproof locomotive engines to basically tow stranded trains that. Four inches of water can bring a standard train engine to a standstill, however, these <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/take-a-look-at-indian-railways-waterproof-engine-than-can-haul-rakes-stranded-in-rains/saviour-engine/slideshow/64573538.cms">new engines</a> are equipped to operate in 12 inches of water. </li><li>Measure to make purchasing tickets easier: To nudge people towards a cashless system, the national transporter has installed 9,100 point of sale (POS) machines at about 4,000 locations including rail ticket counters. </li><li>Station facelift: The railways plans to spruce up major railway stations big time. The revamped stations will ape modern airports and will therefore include modern facilities like escalators, lifts, subways, ramps, AC VIP lounge, AC waiting room and rest rooms and shopping malls. Apart from this, the stations will will be beautified with local artworks.</li><li>Cleanliness: In order to implement the Swachh Railways mission, the railways has introduced mechanised cleaning system at 488 stations and has started using an automatic rail-mounted machine to keep its tracks at platforms clean. And to keep a check on freelance housekeeping contractors, passengers will be asked to rate the cleanliness based on which the contractor will be paid.</li><li>Increasing rail connectivity: The Prime Minister’s ‘Act East Policy’ has given a much-required boost to the infrastructural development in northeast India. The first priority was to convert the entire North East rail network to a broad gauge system which it aims to do by 2020.</li></ol>

Indian Railways is planning a major overhaul: Here's what's in store

(Image: Indianrailinfo) 
 With train fares sky rocketing (read surge pricing) and the minister ambitious enough to introduce world class facility in Indian trains, I believed <keyword id="6355455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Railways">Indian Railways</keyword> must be heading to a grand renovation and might match the travel-quality in other developed South Asian counterparts of it. 
 To travel to <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> from New Delhi, I wanted to experience how Indian Railways must have changed in the days of Talgo trial runs and <keyword id="6355629" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google">Google</keyword> enabled wi-fi in stations. I ditched the allure of flash sales of airlines offering me a <keyword id="1475258" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Kolkata">Delhi-Kolkata</keyword> flight ticket for Rs 2500, inclusive of all taxes. A day before my journey last month, I bought a ticket on the newly introduced surge pricing for New Delhi-Sealdah Rajdhani Express, one of the premium trains in the country. The ticket, although priced at Rs. 2105 costed me something around Rs 2850, thanks to flexi pricing. But I was hopeful that the service must have bettered and it’s worth it. 
 I reached the New Delhi station in late afternoon. With limited seating options, people squatted on the dusty floors of the platform waiting for different trains. As the <keyword id="93583" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sealdah">Sealdah</keyword> Rajdhani arrived, I was readying myself for premium hospitality from the Indian Railways. 
 
Two minutes into my designated berth, as I was checking out the place, a co passenger entered the coach with 16 sets of bags including a LED TV and packed the coup. 
 
Evening of ‘super <keyword id="18712" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold">gold</keyword> dhamaka chai’ 
Twenty minutes into the journey, I was served bottled water along with the evening snacks, which consists of a namkeen (with oil dripping), a stale sandwich, a sweet, and a tea-kit. Now if you are conscious about health diet, you should have got your own snacks. The tea bag was a Super Gold Dhamaka tea, a brand you might never hear of, but it exists. 
 
Stinky toilet with flooded floor 
Moving on to the next episode – the toliet. The Wester Styled toilet was stinking and the hand shower lying on the flooded floor. I discovered that the drain outlet is clogged with dirt and it won’t be possible for the cleaner to do the needful. The washbasin tap has a missile like projectile that lands directly on your foot. Tired of it, I decided to check out the other toilet, which was slightly better. But the stink is omnipresent. The tap in this toilet needs to be patted to get the water flowing in the moving train. There are just so many lifehacks, I learnt in a few hours in the train. 
 
WTF is food-hygiene! 
 
(Representational image to show how doors are kept blocked. Source: Mouthshut) 
 Coming out of the toilet, I found the attendants of ‘Meals on Wheels’, the contractor of food service in this particular train, squatting in the floor and readying dinner. The trays have been laid down on the ground and being arranged. <keyword id="51958" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="YES">Yes</keyword>, in front of the doorways, dustbins and washrooms. Those will soon be served to the passengers. Also one side of exits are made inaccessible by these attendants because they need a place to arrange their food. So in case of an emergency, you have to depend on just two doors and emergency windows for exit. 
 
Dessert-less dinner 
 The dinner arrived at 8:30. It was a decent one with two tiny pieces of chicken, rice, roti, dal and yogurt. The passengers, who had ordered <keyword id="2396101" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Continental-meal">Continental Meal</keyword>, received cold fried chicken, pasta, bread and some inedible noodles. One of them had requested for the breads to be toasted, which the attendants denied to oblige. Well, the dinner was over by 9pm and the only dessert ice cream started getting distributed at 10:15. Yes, when most of the passengers were ready to sleep, this strategy worked better for ‘Meal on Wheels’ because 70% of passengers refused to have. We were seated in the end of the coach and somehow the ice creams got over by the middle of the coach. The server informed us that ice cream is over and they can serve Frooti, ‘if we want’. Definitely nobody wanted a fruit juice after dinner. 
 
Blankets are washed every 2 months 
As we prepared for sleep, my pillow was found to be a used-one with stains. The blanket was smelly and the attendant informed was indifferent about it. He said, blankets are washed every 2 months. The sleep wasn’t much comfortable because the AC was too cold and there was no attendant in the coach at midnight. Moreover, there were mosquitoes. The coach attendant in the morning informed us that pest control is done after 2-3 months and he can’t help with it. On asking for the complain book, he said his job would be at stake if we complain. 
 
Delay of premium train 
The breakfast doesn’t need to explained, as it was of the same quality as evening snacks with un-toasted breads. You need to choose between jam or butter, as both would exceed their budget. There was no fruit juice with it, which it used to be earlier. The train was delayed by 2 hours and reached Sealdah at around 12:30pm and there was no free water bottle or food served in extra to make up for the delay. 
 
Thou shalt tip 
Towards the end of the journey, the coach was stinking like never before. The cleaner just mopped the floor, which isn’t enough to clean the floor walked down by 72 passengers. There was no deodorizer used. And then as the train was nearing destination, the servers of 'Meals on Wheels' started asking for tips. While there is no such official order on it, the minimum tip is Rs 20 per passenger, otherwise they would just not leave and keep coaxing you. The same people who are rude enough and serve food as if doing you a favour suddenly wear ear-to-ear smile. 
 
As I completed 1454 kms on India’s premium train for 19 hours, I realized I could have simply taken the flight and reached home last night itself by paying a few hundreds more on spot-ticket.

I paid Rs 2800 on flexi pricing in a premium train to Kolkata; the biggest mistake I made

As winter blankets the Indian subcontinent, nature transforms into a wonderland adorned with pristine snow. The charm of snowfall is a spectacle to behold, and there's no better way to experience it than by visiting the top <keyword id="3068321" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hill-stations-in-India" source="Orion">hill stations in India</keyword>. In this article, we will explore some of the most enchanting hill stations that promise a snowy retreat this winter. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Manali, Himachal Pradesh:" comment="subhead" text="Manali, Himachal Pradesh:">Manali, Himachal Pradesh:</cmsannotation> Manali, often referred to as the "Valley of Gods," is a classic winter wonderland. Nestled in the Kullu Valley, this charming hill station offers an abundance of snowfall during the winter months. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Manali provides an idyllic setting for snow enthusiasts. Activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowball fights make Manali a hotspot for winter tourism. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:" comment="subhead" text="Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:">Shimla, Himachal Pradesh:</cmsannotation> The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is a timeless favorite for winter travelers. Mall Road and Ridge Road are beautifully adorned with snow, and the views from Jakhoo Temple are breathtaking. Shimla's colonial architecture and the toy train ride add to the winter charm of this hill station. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir:" comment="subhead" text="Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir:">Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir:</cmsannotation> Known as the "Meadow of Flowers," Gulmarg is a paradise for snow lovers. Located in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, Gulmarg receives heavy snowfall, turning it into a skiing and snowboarding haven. The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, offers panoramic views of the snow-covered Himalayas. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Auli, Uttarakhand:" comment="subhead" text="Auli, Uttarakhand:">Auli, Uttarakhand:</cmsannotation> Auli, perched in the Garhwal Himalayas, is a serene destination for winter sports. The pristine slopes of Auli attract skiers from around the world. The snow-covered meadows and the Nanda Devi Peak in the backdrop make Auli a picturesque winter getaway. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir:" comment="subhead" text="Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir:">Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir:</cmsannotation> Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, transforms into a winter wonderland during the cold season. The Dal Lake freezes, and visitors can enjoy the experience of walking on the frozen surface. Houseboats on the Dal Lake provide a unique winter accommodation experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Darjeeling, West Bengal:" comment="subhead" text="Darjeeling, West Bengal:">Darjeeling, West Bengal:</cmsannotation> In the eastern part of India, Darjeeling is known for its tea gardens and panoramic views of the Kanchenjunga range. During the winter, this charming hill station is blanketed in snow. Take a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway to relish the snowy vistas. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Kufri, Himachal Pradesh:" comment="subhead" text="Kufri, Himachal Pradesh:">Kufri, Himachal Pradesh:</cmsannotation> Just a short drive from Shimla, Kufri is a small hill station that witnesses heavy snowfall. The Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri is a popular spot for animal lovers, and the town offers opportunities for horse riding in the snow. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir:" comment="subhead" text="Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir:">Patnitop, Jammu and Kashmir:</cmsannotation> Located in the Udhampur district, Patnitop is a lesser-known gem for snowfall. The picturesque landscapes, including snow-covered pine forests, make it an excellent destination for a tranquil winter retreat. Nathatop, a nearby area, is known for its snow activities. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh:" comment="subhead" text="Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh:">Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh:</cmsannotation> Tawang is a hidden jewel in the northeastern Himalayas. Known for its monasteries, Tawang receives heavy snowfall during the winter. The Tawang Monastery, also known as Galden Namgey Lhatse, is a spectacular sight in the snow. India's diverse topography offers an incredible range of hill stations where you can experience the magic of snowfall during the winter season. From the popular destinations in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to the lesser-known gems in the northeastern and southern regions, these hill stations provide a diverse winter experience for every type of traveler. Whether you're an adventure seeker or someone looking for a peaceful escape, these hill stations have something special to offer when snow blankets the landscape. So, pack your bags, prepare for the cold, and head to one of these top hill stations to witness the beauty of India's winter wonderland Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/news/a-complete-guide-for-your-3-day-trip-in-manali/articleshow/100412872.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">A complete Guide for your 3 days trip in Manali</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/a-complete-itinerary-for-your-3-days-in-shimla/articleshow/100910216.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">A complete itinerary for your 3 days in Shimla</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/a-complete-itinerary-for-your-3-days-plan-in-mussoorie/articleshow/100470629.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">A complete itinerary for your 3 days trip in Mussoorie</a>

Best Hill stations in India for experiencing snowfall

<keyword id="6358777" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword>, Very dense fog blanketed parts of Delhi on Tuesday, reducing visibility to zero <keyword id="1835910" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="metres">metres</keyword> and affecting traffic movement, the India Meteorological Department (<keyword id="6366970" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="imd">IMD</keyword>) said. The minimum temperature dropped to 6.9 degrees Celsius as northwesterly winds from the snow-clad western <keyword id="52569" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword> have started blowing towards the plains, an IMD official said. On Monday, Delhi's minimum temperature stood at 9 degrees Celsius, two notches more than normal, due to party cloudy weather and easterly winds which are not as cold as northwesterly winds. The IMD said that very dense fog lowered visibility to zero metres at <keyword id="121324" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Palam">Palam</keyword> at 8:30 am. Visibility level was 300 metres at <keyword id="163247" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Safdarjung">Safdarjung</keyword>. According to the IMD, very dense fog is when visibility is between 0 and 50 metres. In case of dense fog, visibility is between 51 and 200 metres, moderate 201 and 500 metres, and shallow 501 and 1,000 metres. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-backed-nazara-technologies-is-preparing-for-its-big-ipo-debut/articleshow/80321946.cms">The startup behind Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu and Shikari Shambhu is back with an IPO plan ⁠⁠— after a series of acquisitions and fundraisings</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-what-analysts-have-to-say-about-the-4634-crore-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80323479.cms?upcache=2">The ₹4,600 crore IPO from IRFC is ‘attractive,’ and the best thing about the borrowing arm for Indian Railways is the assured margin</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-apply-for-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80327303.cms">How to apply for IRFC IPO? Check the details and online application process here</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/cure-fit-strengthens-its-us-offering-by-acquiring-digital-trainer-and-workout-app-onyx/articleshow/80326857.cms">Cure.fit strengthens its US offering by acquiring digital trainer and workout app Onyx</a>

Zero visibility in parts of Delhi due to very dense fog

(Eds: With updates, more details) New Delhi, Jun 11 () After almost two months, the railways' isolation coaches have finally found takers -- Uttar Pradesh has asked for 240 such coaches for 24 locations, Telangana has requisitioned 60 for three places and Delhi has asked for 10 such coaches as COVID-19 cases in India close in on the three lakh mark. The railways' first such COVID-19 care centre was deployed at Shakur Basti railway stations in Delhi on May 31. It consisted of 10 coaches with a capacity of 160 beds. The coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the coronavirus Care centres according to guidelines issued by the health ministry. "Sixty coaches have been requisitioned by Telangana at Secunderabad, Kachiguda and Adilabad. Ten coaches have been requisitioned by Delhi. Each coach has a capacity for 16 beds. "However, the composition of the COVID care centres (rakes) will be decided as per the requirements of the state. As of now, Telangana which has asked for 60 coaches will get 960 beds which they can use in the three locations they have identified. Uttar Pradesh has asked for 240 coaches," railway spokesperson said. Uttar Pradesh on Thursday reported 24 more deaths and 478 new coronavirus cases, the biggest single-day spike in both numbers so far as the state battles a COVID-19 surge. The death toll in the state stood at 345 after three consecutive days of record highs while the COVID-19 tally reached 12,088. It now has 4,451 active cases. Telangana has reported 4,111 coronavirus cases so far, while Delhi, which is among the worst-hit cities, has reported 32,810 cases. India saw the highest single-day spike of 357 fatalities and 9,996 cases on Thursday, pushing the death toll to 8,102 and the nationwide tally to 2,86,579. According to the Health Ministry, the country registered over 9,500 cases for the seventh day in a row, while the casualty figure crossed the 300-mark for the first time. Amid the surge in cases, Uttar Pradesh has asked for a minimum of 10 COVID care centres coach at 24 railway stations including Varanasi City, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, Gonda, Bareilly City, Saharanpur, Sonbhadra, Azamgarh and others. In Delhi, the COVID care centre consists of 10 non-AC coaches with 160 beds and three AC coaches for healthcare staffers, including doctors. These coaches are the first of the 5,321 coaches which have been converted into isolation wards by the railways for the treatment of coronavirus patients. According to the integrated COVID plan developed by the health ministry and the NITI Aayog, these coaches can be used in areas where the state has exhausted the facilities and needs to augment capacities for isolation of both suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases. The train coaches have all necessary medical equipment such as oxygen cylinders, blankets, medical supplies, sterilized berths for the safety and convenience of the individuals placed in isolation. According to the Railway Ministry, these coaches-turned-isolation wards will be equipped with mosquito nets, charging points for laptop and phones. The toilets also have been modified into bathrooms. These coaches have been modified at a cost of Rs 2 lakh each. Some of these coaches were ready for deployment by April 11, officials said. Sustaining the fight against COVID-19, Indian Railways is making an all-out effort to supplement the health care efforts of Centre. Indian Railways has geared up to provide its 5,231 COVID Care Centres to the state. Zonal Railways has converted these coaches for quarantine facility. ASG NSD

UP, Delhi, Telangana ask for rly COVID-19 care centres as cases in India inch closer to 3 lakh

Some of the bigger start-up companies like <keyword id="541988" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="SnapDeal">Snapdeal</keyword>, <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>, OYORooms etc are now opinion makers. Gone are their initial days of struggle. It’s the survival-of-the-fittest race now they want to win as opposed to some of the early stage start-ups, who are the ones reeling under real problems while facing huge challenges on the ground. 
 
We spoke to some of them and in no time, learnt some of the pertinent challenges. We thought it was best to let the government know what these new kids on the block seek from Mr Arun Jaitley’s upcoming Budget even though it’s just a week away. 
 
Some of the recommendations are real food for thought and therefore hard to ignore. Read on! 
 
Capital Float - Online lending platform 
 “The Prime Minister’s action plan on <keyword id="6362513" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Startups">startups</keyword> was the first step to aid the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India. We hope that the budget will lay the groundwork to create more opportunities for innovation in the startup sector especially in the Fintech space. We expect this Budget to bring parity between the NBFCs and other financial institutions and kick-start the SARFAESI measures, which has been the long standing demand of the NBFCs thereby bringing the regulatory framework in parity with banks,” says Sashank Rishyasringa and Gaurav Hinduja, Co-Founder, Capital Float. 
 
We believe that this budget would also look at providing monetary incentives under Skill India to small-scale entrepreneurs to help them impart specific training to unskilled labour and a flush of capital into the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF), meant to help business to acquire the requisite machinery and technology to expand their operations. Incremental steps promised in the Startup India initiative by the Prime Minister will need to become a reality which can in turn set the stage for something big, bold and a game-changer,” he adds. 
 
CUBE 26 – A Technology innovation firm 
 “This <keyword id="6360189" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget">Union Budget</keyword>, we expect the government to make patents simpler, and offer schemes and incentives that encourage startups to take risks. We also expect government to approach India’s smart devices market through supportive and encouraging regulations to expedite the ecosystem for smart device manufacturing. To promote Make in India, we believe that the government should offer subsidies on investments and incentives for Indian device manufacturers. This will help them to build a price advantage over the increasing international competition from brands. Also, reduction of import duties with an option to allow businesses to Make in India will be a welcome move. Digital literacy and mobile internet penetration in tier 2, tier 3 cities are other areas onto which we would like to see the Union Budget’s focus. Substantial funds should be allocated to develop a robust network infrastructure and realise the government's 'Digital India' mission,” says Saurav Kumar, CEO &amp; Co-founder. 
 
Grabhouse – Online portal for flats, PG, House for rent without broker 
 “PM Modi’s recent Startup India Standup India campaign has definitely heightened the aspirations of the Startup community and now everyone is pinning hopes on an equally encouraging union budget. We look forward to a startup friendly tax budget with reduced interference and easy access to capital. As proposed by <keyword id="6372077" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nasscom">NASSCOM</keyword>, removing angel tax and exempting startups from direct and indirect taxes will go a long way in assisting startups to get a foothold in the market. Most startups run on bootstrap funding initially and waiving off service tax for a period of 3 years will build the risk-taking ability for startups in their nascent stages. Another area which we are keen about is the <keyword id="6354553" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate">real estate</keyword> space, we would like to see the execution of initiatives like smart and connected cities which deploy technology at the heart of their existence. We have always believed that technology will be key to resolve India’s real estate issues and we hope this budget will help make this dream possible at a faster rate,” says Pankhuri Shrivastava, Co-Founder &amp; CMO. 
 
PaySe™ - Fintech start-up 
 “The government said in one of its communications to the Payment Council of India that merchants with more than 50% of their transactions done digitally could get a tax rebate or a 1-2% reduction in value-added tax on all electronic transactions. Consumers could get some <keyword id="6354751" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Income-Tax">income tax</keyword> rebates if they showed a certain portion of their net expenses was incurred digitally. A similar initiative was implemented in South Korea and helped transform a predominantly cash nation. Success of the initiative in Korea was driven by the willingness of the government to allow various payment instruments including open, semi-closed and closed pre-paid instruments to be within the gambit of digital payment. A similar policy will help the merchants and consumers overcome the initial inertia”, says Ashutosh Pande, founder &amp; Chief Innovation officer of PaySe. 
 
Droom - Online marketplace to buy &amp; sell used cars, bikes, scooters, bicycles, aero planes 
 “Internet is an enabler of growth and visitor Highways should be simulated, similar to our rail and road infrastructure. Allocation of budget for creating a robust network of Internet connectivity across India is elementary. In the union budget we wish to see avenues of public private participation with telecom Operators. The same is the key to Internet growth; unless our telecom providers do not fuel our masses with bandwidth and affordability, Digital India would be a distant dream. Subsidy on smartphones is my next expectation, buying a smartphone is much easier than buying a desktop / laptop. The current Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural India thrives on these devices and smartphone reach will only make them stronger and smarter. It may give rise to evolution of many new Enterprises. Lastly, <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword> would be a game changing reform, it will enable a country wide, single market with reduced transaction costs for businesses and controlled economic volatility,” says spokesperson, Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder and CEO. 
 
TravelKhana – Online portal to book meals onboard trains 
 
"Being an online platform to book meals especially while travelling by train, in this year’s budget, we expect the government to include only the transportation cost in the ticket. Other facilities like food, blankets, bedsheets, etc, should be kept as optional charges while booking tickets online or offline, even for the premium trains. There should be preferences to upgrade tickets based on the availability on paying an additional cost. Also, there needs to be a system to utilize the terabytes of data generated by the Railways everyday for upgrading functions like fuel &amp; energy costs, sources of delay in timings etc. For those who intend to create new startups, the Government must ensure that data is available to them and a separate railway startup policy should be announced as well," says Pushpinder Singh, CEO &amp; Co-founder. 
 
(Image credits: PTI)

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