East Central Railway to park 300 isolation coaches at 15 stations

PATNA: The East Central Railway (ECR) has decided to place around 300 Covid-19 isolation coaches at 15 railway stations falling under its jurisdiction in the state.
Two rakes of Covid isolation coaches have already been parked on the platform numbers 6 and 7 at the Patna Junction. Other stations where these coaches are being placed include Sonepur, Narkatiaganj, Jayanagar, Raxaul, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Siwan, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Chhapra, Katihar and Bhagalpur.
ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar said railways took a decision in this regard on Thursday after holding consultations with the state government following sudden surge in Covid-19 cases.
“As per the decision, 20 such coaches will be placed at each station. The refurbished AC coach will be used for the doctors and nursing staff,” Kumar said, adding at least 16 patients can undergo treatment in each coach comfortably.
The CPRO said the isolation coaches are equipped with oxygen cylinder, basic medicines, water and toilet facilities. “It will be the responsibility of the state government to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) kit to each patient and take all possible care of them during the isolation period,” the CPRO said.
He added, “Railways will ensure proper cleanliness of the isolation coaches. Security, maintenance of the Covid-19 isolation and infrastructure, including electrical and water supply, will also be the responsibility of the railways. Civil surgeon of each district will be the nodal officer to liaison with railway administration for providing better treatment to coronavirus patients.”
Besides, the railways has trained healthcare staff in each division of the ECR to take care of the Covid-19 suspects inside the isolation wards. “At least 100 railway doctors in Danapur division are ready to render their services,” the CPRO said.
The CPRO added, “The greatest advantage of the ‘hospital on running wheels’ is that it could easily reach any part of the state even in remote places according to the requirement. Railways has converted 269 coaches into isolation wards to quarantine the Covid-19 patients in the state.”