Here Comes the Covid-19 Express: Railway Coaches Can Now Accommodate 40,000 Patients

When a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 25, India suspended Asia’s oldest rail network for the first time in 167 years. But the work hasn’t stopped. Indian Railways has been operating at a war footing in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, manufacturing masks, PPEs, hand sanitisers on a massive scale as well as assisting in the movement of food and essential supplies across the country.

While passenger trains have been suspended, Indian ingenuity has peaked as trains are being converted into mobile hospitals. The Railways has converted 2,500 coaches into isolation wards, with 40,000 isolation beds ready for contingency.

In a dedicated display of services, Railways has used all its might to support nation's fight against COVID-19

Achieving half of the target in a short time, 2,500 coaches have been converted into isolation coaches, readying 40,000 beds for contingencyhttps://t.co/Dmia9z17B8 pic.twitter.com/LRPWlmd3v4

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 6, 2020

A statement issued by the ministry said, “On an average, 375 coaches are being converted on a daily basis with the work being carried out at 133 locations in the country. These coaches are equipped as per medical advisories issued.”

.@RailMinIndia converts 2,500 coaches as isolation wards in a short span of time; 40,000 isolation beds ready for contingency#IndiaFightsCorona #COVID2019India

Details: https://t.co/2umxVwqGuX pic.twitter.com/WlDhRE1LMa

— PIB India 🇮🇳 #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) April 6, 2020

A video shared by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal details the layout of the isolation wards along with the various facilities provided. Two out of four toilets have been converted into bathrooms and the middle berth on one side in each cabin has been removed, with lower berth acting as a patient bed.

Take a look at isolation coaches prepared by Railways to support the nation’s fight against COVID-19.

Coaches have been modified to ensure comfortable isolation facilities for patients. pic.twitter.com/Nq2FmOo63e

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 6, 2020

Dedicated cabins have been reserved for doctors and medical staff. Additional electrical sockets have been provided for medical instruments along with provisions to connect with an external electric supply. Every patient area has medical grade plastic curtains and cabins are separated by plywood covering.

Indian Railways converts two thousand five hundred coaches as isolation coaches in order to supplement national efforts in combating #COVID19. #COVID19Pandemic #IndiaFightsCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/ynTAtzrjcp

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 6, 2020

The Railway Ministry is halfway there toward their initial goal of 5,000 coaches, with 2,500 coaches converted into isolation wards. The ministry shared a video of the work in progress at Loco Works, Perambur, Chennai.

Contributing effectively to nation's mission against Covid19

Indian Railways workshops expedite conversion of Coaches into Isolation wards

Catch a glimpse of the work in progress at Loco Works, Perambur, Chennai.#IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/4BZinODJP8

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 6, 2020

The mobile isolation wards can travel to remote locations in India if the need arises. These isolation coaches are meant for contingency purposes and to supplement the efforts of the health ministry in the fight against Covid-19.

Looks like we are on the right track.