New Delhi: Keeping in view of the rising need of medical facilities in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Indian Railways has decided to convert the old train coaches into isolation wards to accommodate COVID-19 patients.
While explaining about the initiative, a Railways official said that this is just one prototype which has been prepared as the isolation ward. If this gets finalized, then Railways is planning to ask every zone to prepare 10 coaches per week into such isolation wards.
For the patient wards, middle berth has been removed from one side along with all the three berths from front side and the ladders which used to be attached with these berths. The bathrooms, aisle areas, and other areas have also been modified to prepare isolation coaches.
Earlier, the circulars were issued to the zonal railways to develop a prototype coach which can be used as a hospital isolation ward for coronavirus patients. "Modifications required in non-AC coach for conversion to isolation coach, it is envisaged that each cabin of the coach shall initially hold one patient on one lower berth and if the situation so demands then two in each cabin," said the circular.
Suggestions given to the Zonal Railways to prepare their prototypes include, "End side partition next to main doorway to be removed on each end. One Indian style toilet at each end to be converted into bathing room and this can be done replacing wooden Batten structure on the entire floor which also covers the squatting pan, hand shower to be provided, along with bucket, mug and soap dish or liquid dispenser."
The circular also stated, "Coaches which has exceeded 20 years may be taken for conversion. Materials required to convert more coaches should be kept ready to undertake conversion."
The Northern Railways has also been asked to conduct a feasibility study to ascertain if it can modify non-air conditioned coaches as isolation wards.
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