Indian Railways Tests AI-Powered Stain Detection to Improve Linen Quality in AC Coaches

New Delhi: Indian Railways has launched a pilot project using AI-powered camera technology to automatically detect stains on washed linen, aiming to improve cleanliness and quality for passengers travelling in AC coaches.

The trial is currently underway at mechanised laundries in the Pune Division of Central Railway and the Jaipur and Jodhpur divisions of North Western Railway, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The minister said Indian Railways ensures that clean and hygienic linen is provided to AC passengers on every journey. Linen items are replaced according to prescribed railway norms once they become unserviceable, with their service life reviewed periodically based on usage and condition.

A standard bedroll kit includes two bed sheets, a pillow cover and a hand towel. One bed sheet is meant to be spread over the berth, while the second serves as a protective layer between the passenger and the blanket. This blanket cover sheet is washed after every use.

To further enhance passenger comfort, Indian Railways has also started providing blanket covers to all AC passengers on trains operated by North Western Railway and on the newly introduced Vande Bharat Sleeper service between Kamakhya and Howrah. According to the minister, the initiative has received positive feedback from passengers.

Besides the AI-based stain detection system, mechanised laundries already use Whito-Meters to assess the effectiveness of linen cleaning. CCTV cameras have also been installed across railway laundries to monitor washing operations.

Vaishnaw added that Indian Railways is expanding CCTV surveillance across stations, passenger coaches and other railway premises to strengthen passenger safety and security. So far, CCTV systems have been installed at 3,215 railway stations and 13,409 passenger coaches across the network.

With inputs from IANS