दक्षिणपूर्वरेलवे
SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
प्रेसविज्ञप्ति
PRESS RELEASE
SER HAS ALREADY MODIFIED 281 PASSENGER COACHES INTO ISOLATION/QUARANTINE
COACHES TO FACILITATE TREATMENT OF COVID-19 AFFECTED PEOPLE
Kolkata, 9th April, 2020:
South Eastern Railway has completed the work for modification of 281 passenger coaches into isolation/quarantine coaches till date with necessary facilities to accommodate patients in view of outbreak of COVID-19. Initially, it has been planned to convert altogether 329 coaches into isolation/quarantine coaches as a part of preparedness to control the spread of COVID-19.
The work for conversion of passenger coaches into isolation/quarantine coaches is being carried out on war footing at Kharagpur Workshop, Santragachi Depot, Tatanagar Depot and Hatia Depot under the guidance of Medical Department of South Eastern Railway. The modified coaches have been equipped with necessary facilities to serve the COVID-19 affected people.
Presently sleeper and general class coaches are being utilized for modification to isolation/quarantine coaches. Steps have been taken to ensure disinfection and sanitization of the modified coaches. Mosquito nets have been fixed on the windows and measures have been taken to ensure proper ventilation. The middle berths of the coaches have been removed and all charging points for mobile and laptop have been made functional. one Indian style toilet has been converted into a bathing room with soap dispenser and other necessary facilities and there are 3 toilets with required arrangement. A converted coach has 9 cabins with 2 berths in each cabin. one cabin will be utilized by paramedical staff and the other 8 cabins are to accommodate 2 COVID-19 patients in each cabin. 03 dustbins (Red, Blue and Yellow color) with foot operated lids have been provided in all the cabins. Extra bottle holders and 3-peg coat hooks have been fixed in each cabin for holding medical equipments and suitable clamping arrangements have also been made for oxygen cylinder. The first cabin near bathing room is nominated as Paramedics/Store cabin and is screened off from the rest of the coach by plastic curtains.
The Ministry of Railways, as its contribution to national cause, has initiated conversion of coaches to provide additional beds and supports for COVID 19 affected people as and when required. During this crucial time of the nation, SER’s dedicated workforce is committed to fulfill its social commitments and responsibilities and is engaged round the clock to complete the modification work of coaches before any emergency arises. The employees are carrying out this work without compromising their personal safety and Railway Administration has taken all necessary measures in this regard.
***********
