Varanasi: The Indian Railways is converting train coaches into isolation wards to prepare for a fight against coronavirus after the sudden increase in the positive cases.
The government has planned to increase the number of hospitals with help of Indian Railways.
As part of this initiative, the Varanasi divison of North Eastern Railway has been given target to develop 32 coaches as covid-19 care centre on behalf of the ministry.
The North Eastern Railway has started converting 20 coaches into isolation wards at the Manduwadih depot workshop in Varanasi, while 12 coaches are being prepared in Gorakhpur.
Meanwhile, ETV Bharat went to inspect the arrangements to convert railway coaches into isolation wards.
The arrangements for the moving care unit is being prepared in the sleeper bogie of the train.
The middle berth is removed and 2-2 berths are there parallel to each other.
Meanwhile, each every section is divided with transparent curtains.
There are usually two washrooms in a coach, but now one will be used for bathing purpose.
A care unit is being developed for doctors and nurses in which life support system and other essential facilities will be available.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, about the preparations carried out by railways, DRM of Varanasi Vijay Kumar Panjiar said: "Two coaches will be ready and the work on 12 coaches in Gorakhpur is going on. These coaches will go to Chhapra. 20 coaches prepared in Varanasi will be kept at different places according to the needs."
"Railway is all set to serve the country at this time of the pandemic," he further said.
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