The Indian Railways has decided to modify 20,000 train coaches into quarantine/ isolation coaches to augment the quarantine facilities being created in the country.
In this connection, consultations were held with Armed Forces Medical Services, Medical Department of various Zonal Railways, and Ayushman Bharat, Ministry of Health, Government of India. Five Zonal Railways have already prepared prototypes for the quarantine/ isolation coaches.
These modified coaches can accommodate up to 3.2 lakh possible beds for isolation needs. Besides, work on modification of 5,000 coaches, which are to be converted initially into quarantine/ isolation coaches has already started.
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These coaches would be having the capacity to accommodate up to 80,000 beds. One coach is expected to have 16 beds for isolation.
Only Non-AC ICF sleeper coaches are being planned to be utilized for conversion into quarantine/ isolation coaches. One Indian style toilet is to be converted into a bathing room equipped with bucket, mug and soap dispenser.
Taps with lift type handle would be provided in washbasins. Similar tap to be provided at the proper height so that the bucket can be filled.
For insulation of the coaches, Bamboo/Khus mats may be affixed/ pasted on the roof and each side of coach above and below windows to shield the effect of heat inside the coach. All charging points for laptop and mobile to be functional.