New Delhi: As the COVID-19 cases have been spiralling day by day, various states are witnessing a shortage of beds in hospitals.
To tackle this situation, Indian Railways has asked the state governments for the usage of COVID-19 care coaches, if required.
Replying to a question of ETV Bharat, CEO and Chairman Railway Board Suneet Sharma said, "We have kept around 4,000 coaches ready. All maintenance has been carried out on those coaches. These coaches have been located at 220 locations across the country wherever Ministry of Health and Family Welfare wanted these coaches to be placed."
He informed, "So far, we have received a demand from Nandurbar district of Maharashtra and we placed 20 coaches there. These coaches have been utilized by the state government for the patients."
Also Read: Railway covid coaches serve as isolation, treatment wards for patients in Delhi
Last year, during the first wave of COVID-19, Indian Railways had designed COVID care coaches to be used for patients with mild symptoms as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. However, till date, these coaches were lying unused. Now, when a shortage of beds is being witnessed across the country, the need for COVID care coaches has again come to the fore.
"We have already conveyed our readiness to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and through our General Managers to the Chief Secretaries that these coaches are available with us. As on when there is any requirement, please let us know. We will place these coaches as per your requirement," the top railway official told ETV Bharat.
He also informed that so far, no demand has come from any other state but Railways is in constant touch with the state governments regarding the matter.
Sharma also said that Railways is keeping a close watch on the state like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi and Karnataka, and the General Managers of various zones have been authorized to operate additional trains wherever they feel that the demand is high.
"I assure you that there is no dearth of services, the situation is in fact quite normal. We are currently running 1490 mail/express trains and 5,397 suburban train services on a daily basis average," he said.
In addition to this, 28 clone trains of highly patronized trains and 947 passenger trains are in operation right now. To clear the extra rush, 140 additional trains will make 483 trips in April and May.
When asked if Railways has received any request from the state governments to suspend the passenger services, he replied, "No such demand to stop train services has been made by any state. There are many connecting trains that go through various states. Stopping them won't be possible. However, some states have raised concerns saying that those passengers who come in containment zones will have to undergo random tests and checks at the stations."
He also stated that Railways is providing all the details about the SOPs on its e-ticketing websites and various announcements are also being made at the stations to follow COVID protocols.
Also Read: Alarm system installed in Shakurbasti rail isolation coaches
