Since the first train of empty tankers left for Vizag from Mumbai region just a few days back, Indian Railways has so far transported more than 302 MT of oxygen to various States across India. Another 154 MT liquid medical oxygen is on its way.
Also to meet the demands of States for the facility of Covid Care coaches during the current raging second spell of the pandemic the Indian Railways fleet of 4000 coaches (retrofitted as isolation units) with a capacity of 64000 beds are being deployed at various locations in the country.
One Oxygen Express train carrying four tankers from Raigarh had crossed Jhansi by the time of filing this news report and was expected to reach Delhi by midnight.
For the residents of Maharashtra, a train carrying 44 MT (in 3 tankers) reached Kalamboli (near Mumbai) from Hapa (Rajkot, Gujarat).
Another Oxygen express currently on the run from Bokaro (Jharkhand) to Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) carrying 90 MT of LMO (in 5 tankers) and has been scheduled to reach Lucknow by Tuesday morning.
"Another empty rake will depart from Lucknow to Bokaro to bring one more set of Oxygen tankers. Railways is responding to all requests received from state governments and is in constant touch with the respective authorities for additional Oxygen train requirements," said a senior railway official.
The Ministry of Railways said it is swiftly meeting the State Governments’ demand for the facility of Covid Care coaches and as per currently available data, these facilities are seeing a steady intake registering a cumulative admission of 81 Covid patients and their subsequent discharge of 22 patients
positioned at the nine major stations in the Delhi, UP, MP and Maharashtra.
In Delhi 75 Covid Care coaches with a capacity of 1200 beds have been stationed with 50 coaches at Shakurbasti and 25 coaches at Anand Vihar station. Last year 857 patients were admitted and discharged at Shakurbasti facility.
In Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), the Railway has deployed 20 Isolation Coaches with a capacity of 292 beds. 3 patients were admitted and are presently utilising the facility.
In Nandrubar (Maharashtra), 24 Isolation Coaches with a capacity of 292 beds have been deployed. This facility has registered 73 admissions till date. Of the 55 patients’ admissions in the current Covid spell, 7 patients have been discharged. 4 new admissions were recorded during the day (26.4.2021). The Unit has 326 beds still available for Covid patients.
In UP, though coaches have not yet been requisitioned by State Govt, 10 coaches each are placed at Faizabad, Bhadohi, Varanasi, Bareli & Nazibabad totalling to a capacity of 800 beds (50 coaches)..