COVID-19: Railways converts 5000 coaches into isolation wards for patients

Indian Railways has achieved its target of converting 5,000 coaches into isolation ward to supplement the national efforts in combating COVID-19. The Railway Ministry said that the carriages-turned-hospital wards would be used only if the surge of cases requiring hospital treatment would be more than hospitals can handle.

New Delhi: To supplement the national efforts in combating COVID-19, Indian Railways has achieved its target of converting 5,000 coaches into isolation wards with 80,000 isolation beds for contingency.

In a short period, of almost 2 weeks, Railways is being able to achieve its target. The national transporter began converting empty carriages into isolation ward as the nation's coronavirus outbreak shows no sign of slowing despite a national lockdown.

However, none of these isolation wards is in use by the health authorities yet, confirms a Railway Official. The Railway Ministry said that the carriages-turned-hospital wards would be used only if the surge of cases requiring hospital treatment would be more than hospitals can handle.

It has been further informed by the Railway Ministry that any further conversion of coaches would be need-based and there is no such need at present.

The task of preparing isolation coaches was being given to the Zonal Railways for contingency, in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak in the country. On average, 375 coaches were being prepared by various zones in a day. The work was being carried out at 133 locations in the country.

The Railway Ministry statement said, "In times of lockdown when manpower resources are limited and have to be rationalised different zones of Railways have almost done an impossible task of so many conversions in a small span of time."

It further stated, "These coaches are equipped as per medical advisories issued. Efforts are being done to ensure the best possible stay and medical supervision as per the needs and norms."