Bhopal: In a bid to reduce the burden on hospitals that are treating Covid-19 patients, the Indian Railways has set up a 300-bed Covid care facility on a 20-coach-long train.
The facility commenced operations at Bhopal railway station on Sunday, officials said.
An official from the West Central Railway's Bhopal division said the coaches have been deployed on platform no. 6 of the railway station.
"The coaches are equipped with essential medicines and staff," state Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang told reporters after inspecting the facilities.
The isolation coaches are not equipped with the oxygen support system at present. Railway officials clarified that COVID-19 patients who need oxygen support cannot be admitted to the coaches.
Minister Sarang, however, added that oxygen cylinders will be made available there for emergency use.
"Coolers and mosquito nets have also been installed in these isolation coaches so that COVID-19 patients can stay comfortably during the summertime. Admission of patients has started in these coaches," he added.
"In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 20 Covid Care Coaches have been arranged by the Indian Railways, which will have 320 beds. These coaches will start functioning fully from April 25," tweeted Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday.
ALSO READ: Steel makers supply 1.43 lakh MT of medical oxygen
