4000 Coaches Converted into Isolation Wards, ‘Oxygen Express’ to Ply Amid Shortage
Delhi and Mumbai have already started deploying the Covid-19 Coaches. As per Officials, no charges would be levied from the states for availing the same.
In order to help manage resources amid the spike in Covid-19 cases, the Indian Railways has come forward readying over 4000 coaches as Covid Care-cum-Isolation Coaches in its 16 zones. The coaches would be made available on the state government’s request.
The Isolation Coaches have already started functioning at Nandurbar, Maharashtra with Covid-19 patients being admitted. The coaches have been covered with layered gunnies as well as a water drip system for lowering the temperature.
The Delhi Government has also demanded 75 isolation coaches to the National Capital which will have 1,200 beds as Covid Care Centers at Anand Vihar Terminal and Shakurbasti railway stations.
Moreover, no charges will be levied from states for Covid-19 Care Coaches, said Northern Railway General Manager Ashutosh Gangal. He further said, “We have purchased oxygen cylinders, we can provide two cylinders in each coach.”
Adding to this, the Railways would be running an ‘Oxygen Express’ over the next few days to transport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders as shortage of the same continue to be reported across states.
“Roll-on-Roll-off oxygen trucks getting loaded for Oxygen Express. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Government of India is committed to doing everything possible to help COVID-19 patients,” Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said in a tweet.
“Since the first empty tankers will move on April 19, we hope to begin operations of Oxygen Express over the next few days. We would be able to send oxygen wherever there is such demand. A green corridor is being created for fast movement of Oxygen Express trains,” an official said.
A tentative movement plan has been made for dispatching 10 empty tankers on April 19. Empty tankers would begin their journey from Kalamboli and Boisar Railway Stations in and near Mumbai to load liquid medical oxygen to Vishakhapatnam, Jamshedpur, Rourkela, and Bokaro.
This effort by the Indian Railways in such harsh times as India battles with the second wave of the Coronavirus is a welcome move and is expected to help with the availability of Covid Beds and Oxygen Cylinders for patients to a great extent.
