Railways using only non-AC sleeper coaches to set up isolation wards, says minister

Around 70 trains will be converted into isolation centres by April 10

A prototype of an isolation ward, ready with medical facilities, arranged in a train in Kamakhya in Assam | Twitter/ Piyush Goyal A prototype of an isolation ward, ready with medical facilities, arranged in a train in Kamakhya in Assam | Twitter/ Piyush Goyal

The Indian Railways is getting battle ready. Around 50 train coaches have already been converted into isolation centres. Many more coaches are going to be converted into isolation centres in the coming days. This, in case there is a rapid increase in coronavirus positive cases. 

The bulk of the coaches, apparently, are being modified by the Northern Railway and North Central Railway. The Southern Railway has also begun work on converting around 20 train coaches into isolation wards. 

By April 10, around 70 trains with 10 coaches will be modified. This can accommodate close to 10,000 people. Officials in Indian Railways said they are prepared to convert around 5,000 coaches if the need arises within a month. 

Said Union Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi to THE WEEK, "We cannot construct hospitals in a few days. But we can quickly convert train coaches into isolation wards. The aim here is to fight the deadly coronavirus together with all other departments concerned. During this crisis, the Indian Railways will do everything from its side to help people." 

He said once more coaches are ready it will be handed over to the health department, and the state governments can use them as per their requirements. Only non-AC sleeper coaches, which are more than 15-years-old, are being turned into isolation centres. 

"We are using only old coaches, and not any regular passenger train coaches," said Angadi on apprehensions developing in passengers who are going to use trains post April 15. 

The toilets in each coach, apparently, have been converted into a decent bathrooms with all requirements. Middle berths in each cabin are being removed, and mosquito nets and other essentials are being provided. For protection of the coaches and covering the heat, bamboo mats are being attached on the ceiling, and beneath the windows. In the side berths, oxygen cylinders are being placed. 

The Western Railway, on April 3, released a 25-second video that showed a coach that was fully modified. 

The Railway Ministry has decided to donate Rs 151 crore to PM-CARES fund to help tackle the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Following PM @NarendraModi ji’s call, I, & MoS Suresh Angadi will donate 1 month’s salary & 13 lakh railway & PSU employees will donate 1 day’s salary, equal to ₹151 cr, to PM-CARES fund," said Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal in a tweet. 

Also, the Railways is restarting the Roll On-Roll Off operations.