COVID-19: Indian Railways ready to modify 20,000 coaches; bifurcation here

In its bid to be prepared for repercussions of COVID-19, Indian Railways asserted that it would be prepared to modify 20000 coaches into quarantine/ isolation coaches to augment  quarantine facilities being created in country. This comes after Railway board on a letter to general manrs of zonal railways on Monday,  said that initially 5,000 coaches will be converted into isolation wards and asked m to make preparations for it. Work on modification of 5000 coaches, which are to be converted initially into quarantine/ isolation coaches has alrey started. se 5000 coaches would be having capacity to accommodate up to 80000 beds. One coach is expected to have 16 beds for isolation.

As per official statement,  consultations were held with Armed Forces Medical Services, Medical Department of various Zonal Railways, and Ayushman Bharat, Ministry of Health, Government of India. Five Zonal Railways have alrey prepared protos for quarantine/ isolation coaches.  se modified 20000 coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lac possible beds for isolation needs.

Only n-AC ICF sleeper coaches are being planned to be utilised for conversion into Quarantine/ isolation coaches. One Indian style toilet is to be converted into a bathing room. It is to be equipped with a bucket, mug and soap dispenser. Taps with lift handle would be provided in washbasins. A similar tap to be provided at proper height so that bucket can be filled.

RE: COVID-19: Railways to install washbasins, soap dispensers that operate without touch

Bifurcation of coaches 

first cabin near bathing room shall be provided with two hospitals or plastic curtains transversely in aisle so that entry and exit to entire eight berth cabins can be screened off. This cabin will be used as a store/paramedics area. Two Oxygen cylinders will also be provided by Medical department for which suitable clamping arrangement on side berth side of this cabin is to be provided.

Both middle berths are to be removed in each cabin. Extra bottle holders shall be provided in each cabin for holding medical equipment, two for each berth. Extra 3 peg coat hooks, 2 per cabin to be provided. Mosquito net to be provided on windows to avoid mosquito entry inside and have proper ventilation too. Each cabin will be provided with 3 dustbins with foot-operated lids of Red, Blue, and Yellow Colour suitably lined with garb bags.

For insulation of coaches, Bamboo/Khus mats may be affixed/ pasted on roof and each side of coach above and below windows to shield effect of heat inside coach. All charging points for laptop and mobile to be functional. It must be ensured that all amenity fittings are in place whenever coaches are requisitioned.

RE: Be prepared for converting 20000 coaches into isolation wards for COVID-19 patients: Railway Board to zones

Meanwhile, Union Health Ministry said death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 32 and number of total Coronavirus cases to 1,251 as on Tuesday. re are 1117 active cases in country with state of Kerala contributing highest number of cases which stands at 202.

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(With PIB sources)