Madhurima
NEW DELHI: With novel coronavirus cases on the rise in the country, the Railways has up to now converted over 2,500 coaches into isolation wards in 10 days since the nationwide lockdown began.
A Railway Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that originally the plan is to convert 5,000 coaches to be used as isolation wards.
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The official said that different railway zones have completed an almost impossible task by conversions of numerous coaches into isolation wards within a small period amid a lockdown when manpower resources are limited and need to be rationalised and rotated.
"With the conversion of around 2,500 coaches, 40,000 isolation beds are now ready for meeting any medical contingency," he said.
"On average, 375 rail coaches are being converted daily at 133 locations across the country."
The isolation ward coaches are equipped as per medical advisories.
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Indian railways are also gearing up to begin from 15 April 2020, which is the first day after the lockdown. It is also alleged that it will only be operational after a green light by the government, but all representatives like TTE, safety personnel and guards are being informed to resume their posts by 15 April.
