New Delhi: Pitted against huge odds and in a frenzied race against the scourge of COVID 2019, the Indian Railways has begun work in earnest.
Even as two prototypes of rail coaches are being modified to be made into mobile ambulances, quarantine, and isolation wards to treat novel coronavirus afflicted patients, 22 coaches from four different trains have been identified for the purpose as of now with more to follow in the coming days.
While the two prototypes are being prepared in the New Delhi and Maligaon (near Guwahati) train junctions, seven air-conditioned coaches have been taken out from the Intercity Express, seven from the Shalimar Express, four from Train number 14205/10208 and another four AC coaches from Train number 14207/14206.
While the notification to use train AC coaches to treat COVID-19 patients was issued on Saturday, the brainwave may have come from the army which maintains ambulance coaches across the country to treat and transport battle casualties during emergencies.
Besides having separate compartments for nursing wards, the coaches will now be fitted with medical equipment like intensive care units, ventilators, etc.
Every coach will be able to treat about nine COVID-19 patients with proper isolation and treatment facilities.
The major advantage that these trains turned hospitals will have is that they can function as moveable hospitals, isolation wards where the infected patients can be quarantined till they recover, and the ability to move fast to places where outbreaks are reported from.
At another level, Indian Railways workshops have come forward to make beds, stools etc, in case of any future requirement for isolation and quarantine wards of hospitals.
Indian Railways has a huge network that connects the length and breadth of the country. It operates about 13,452 passenger trains that ply over a rail network length of more than 1,23,200 km across 7,350 stations.
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