WR provided isolation coaches at Nandurbar and Palghar stations of Maharashtra for covid 19 treatment

Isolation coaches also stationed at Sabarmati and Chandlodiya stations in Gujarat and Tihi station in Madhya Pradesh

During this difficult and challenging times of ongoing COVID situation, Western Railway is extending all possible help in the service of humanity, especially to the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh by providing isolation coaches for assistance in care and treatment of COVID 19 patients.

In this direction, Isolation coaches have been made available by Western Railway at Nandurbar and Palghar stations in Maharashtra, Sabarmati and Chandlodiya stations in Gujarat as well as Tihi station near Indore in Madhya Pradesh as per the requirement of the State Government.

According to a press release issued by Sumit Thakur - Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, a total of 386 isolation coaches have been prepared by Western Railway out of which 128 isolation coaches are available in Mumbai Division. Recently, as per the demand from District Administration, a 21-coach rake has been made available at PF No. 3 of Palghar railway station in Maharashtra, in which the patients brought by the district administration will be kept in isolation for treatment. These coaches were inspected on May 3, 2021 by the officials of the district administration. These coaches have been fully readied by Western Railway and the state government will be able to admit patients in the coming days.

Earlier, 21 isolation coaches were made available at Nandurbar railway station from 18th April, 2021 for the treatment of Corona patients. Till 4th May, 2021, a total of 97 patients were admitted to these coaches, out of which 66 were discharged and currently 31 patients are undergoing treatment in these coaches.

In Ratlam Division, 20 isolation coaches have been made available on PF No. 1 of Tihi railway station near Indore in Madhya Pradesh from April 30, 2021. 15 patients are admitted in these coaches as on May 4, 2021. Similarly, on 3rd May, 2021, 19 isolation coaches have been provided in Ahmedabad region in Gujarat, wherein, 13 coaches have been placed on PF No. 5 of Sabarmati station while six coaches have been placed on PF No. 2 at Chandlodiya railway station.

The 21 isolation coaches at Palghar station can accommodate 378 patients. Two oxygen cylinders are provided in each coach. Special care has been taken for maintaining cleanliness in these coaches. The windows on either side of the coaches are covered with mosquito net. Bedrolls and Dustbins are provided for each patient. One bathroom and three toilets are available in each coach. All coaches have been provided with water and electricity. To beat the summer heat and to control the temperature inside the coach, the roofs of the coaches are covered with jute bags which are sprinkled with water regularly. There is a separate coach for doctors and medical staff who will attend & nurse the COVID patients.

The Ministry of Railways is lending a helping hand to the nation with its full potential in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. As part of its multi-layered initiatives, Indian Railways have made available about 4000 COVID Care coaches at various locations in the country with a total capacity of about 64000 beds. These isolation coaches can be easily moved and stationed at various locations on the Indian rail network. These coaches are being made available as per the demand of the State Governments.