As a part of its preparedness to control the spread of Novel Coronavirus, South Eastern Railway (SER) has drawn up a plan to convert and modify 329 coaches into isolation and quarantine wards initially to help COVID-19 affected people at large.
SER Senior Public Relation Officer (PRO), Suhas Lokhare said that different units of SER have started the conversion and modification works on war footing.
"The conversion and modification works of the coaches are being carried out under the guidance of Medical Department and the converted and modified coaches will be equipped with all necessary medical facilities for the COVID-19 affected people. One coach is expected to have a good number of medically equipped beds to serve the COVID-19 affected people," he added.
Lokhare said that the works for conversion and modification of 329 coaches into isolation and quarantine coaches are being carried out on war footing at Kharagpur Workshop, Santragachi Depot, Tatanagar Depot and Hatia Depot. "Out of 329 coaches, Kharagpur Workshop has been entrusted to convert and modify 160 coaches. Santragachi Depot is converting 89 coaches while Tatanagar Depot and Hatia Depot are modifying 20 and 60 coaches respectively," he added.
The PRO said that only Non-AC Sleeper Coaches will be utilised for the conversion and modification to help the COVID-19 affected people. "One Indian style toilet will be converted into a bathing room with bucket, mug and soap dispenser. Water taps with lift type handle will be provided in the wash basins. There will be provision for oxygen cylinders, extra bottle holders, storage area, dustbins with foot operated lid etc. Mosquito nets will be fitted on the windows and measures are being taken to ensure ventilation," he added.
"Irrespective of their designations, employees of SER have spontaneously come forward in this mission for converting and modifying the coaches into isolation and quarantine coaches to help the COVID-19 affected people," said Lokhare.
Meanwhile, IRCTC on Ranchi Rail Division on Saturday, through the base kitchen of IRCTC in collaboration with Department of Commerce and Railway Protection Force provided food, hand sanitiser and mask to about 760 poor and needy people so that not a poor or need could live hunger during 21-day lock-down is going on across the Country to prevent the spread of Corona virus.
The Railway Departments distributed food, sanitiser and masks at Dhumsa Toli, Chutia among around 400 people and at Hatia, Chandni Chowk, Heshag and Sithio around 200 people get food from the departmets.
Ranchi Divisional Personnel Department distributes about 60 packets of coocked Rice and Pulses. Railway Protection Force Hatia, CIB Ranchi and SIB Ranchi of Hatia-Oga Section nearly 100 masks and 100 Sanitiser at the village Kathal Toli near Karra station.
Packets of food are distributed as well as to protect against corona virus infection to create awareness campaign and follow the lock down from people the requested.