Rly to modify coaches as isolation facility
JAIPUR: The North Western Railways will convert 266 train coaches as isolation facility for coronavirus patients.
The decision was taken by the Railway Board, NWRPRO Abhay Sharma said on Tuesday.
Sharma said the conversion work will be done at coaching depots in all railway divisions with back-up of workshops.
The loco workshop in Ajmer will convert the 266 coaches in one week, said Sharma, adding that the coaches have been identified in all divisions.
A prototype isolation coach had been prepared by the Ajmer loco factory, in which 14 patients, along with a doctor and staff, could be accommodated. The Railway Board has approved a “simpler” version of the Ajmer prototype.
As per the design, the middle berths in the coaches will be removed while the top berth will be retained where the patients will be able to keep their baggage and belongings.
Plastic curtains will be used to avoid any infection and mosquito nets will be put on windows.
There will be pedal operated dustbins in all cabins. The coaches will be covered with khus or bamboo to keep them clean, said Sharma. Other modifications to be made in the coaches include converting one toilet as a bathroom with taps and a shower. Brackets will be installed for putting oxygen cylinders.
Sharma said one power supply point would have to be provided that would supply power to all seven coaches. Wiring has been done in the coaches and points for charging laptops, mobiles and other equipment has been provided.
He said coaches that have been in use for 20 or more years will be converted to isolation coaches, so that later they can be discarded.