Railways expected to finish its part of the preparation and hand over 21-coach train to district administration today, train placed at Palghar’s platform no. 3
The train being converted to isolation wards at Palghar station
The 21-coach train to be used to create isolation wards for COVID-19 patients will be completely operational by May 5. The Palghar district administration on Friday had sent a formal request for isolation coaches following a shortage of beds.
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The train for Nagpur city has been handed over to the municipal body
“Palghar is a newly formed tribal district with inadequate infrastructure. At present, we have 17,500 active cases. Hospital beds are full and that it is kindly requested to allow medical railway coaches for management of 2,000 patients, 500 each in Dahanu, Boisar, Palghar and Vasai,” the letter signed by Dr Manik Gursal said.
Following this, divisional railway manager GVL Satyakumar visited Palghar station and assessed the situation along with district authorities on Friday night, signed a memorandum of understanding and dispatched a 21-coach isolation train to be stationed at the platform number 3.
As per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the train now involves joint responsibility of both parties with the isolation coaches requiring proper access, water supply, power connection; the platform will have to be segregated and public access will have to be restricted.
“The train is being readied and the area around it is being cordoned off. It will be handed over to the district administration on Monday. The district administration has sought five days’ time for necessary arrangements from their end and accordingly, these coaches are expected to be operational for patients by May 5,” a railway official said.
The idea to provide coaches at stations like Palghar, Boisar and Dahanu Road was originally mooted by the area’s rail passenger association, Dahanu Vaitarna Pravasi Sevabhavi Sanstha and followed up by the local Member of Parliament Rajendra Gavit.
Nagpur’s COVID train ready
A train of 11 coaches (non-AC) and one additional coach for medical staff was placed at Ajni, Inland Container Depot and handed over to Nagpur Municipal Corporation on Sunday. The additional coach will be utilised by medical staff for donning and doffing PPE suits, keeping medical supplies and equipment. Rest of the 11 coaches will be used for COVID patients. Each coach can accommodate 16 patients (total 176 beds). Each coach has been provided with two oxygen cylinders and mosquito nets have been provided on each window. The coaches have also been fitted with nine coolers each. The cooling system has been providing on the roof to reduce temperatures in the summertime.
2,000
No. of patients to be treated through the isolation train
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