Last ride on Indian Railways trains for face towels soon; here is why

Certain features are refreshing and there are few if any substitutes available. So, if some services start disappearing, alarm bells begin to ring in passengers mind. Indian Railways has just done that. You will no longer receive face towels while travelling in AC coaches. Indian Railways has decided it would replace face towels with cheaper, and disposable napkins in AC coaches. Will it have the same effect, probably not! According to an order issued by the Railway Board, the face towels given to the passengers travelling in air-conditioned coaches will be replaced with cheaper, smaller, disposable, takeaway napkins. 

The decision has been taken keeping in view the frequent train delays and quality services. Indian Railways has long been facing flak over train delays and the services provided by the staff. This is why the Railways is now focussing on making the travel experience better for the passengers. 

Months after ordering all the zones to give nylon blankets to those travelling in AC coaches, the Railway Board now wants cotton-rich, non-woven face towels for passengers.

While the cost of the face towels currently given to the passengers, including procurement cost and washing, comes to around Rs 3.53 per piece, the board, in a letter written to the general managers of all the railway zones on June 26, has said the new napkins are expected to cost less as those will be ordered in bulk and will be smaller in size.

While the existing towels measure 52 cm x 40 cm, the new ones will be smaller at 40 cm x 30 cm. The cost of the bedroll is included in the ticket fare for those travelling in AC coaches.

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"The new towels will be environment-friendly and made of cotton to absorb more water," a railway official told to PTI.

Two such napkins per bedroll will be provided during long journeys, if required. 

Hygiene apart, however, what is on passengers mind is, will it be the same experience?