Train coaches turn into isolation wards at Anand Vihar railway station

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to surge in the national capital, Centre decided to help Delhi government with 500 railway coaches by turning them into isolation wards for COVID-19 patients.
Here are some snapshots of the Anand Vihar railway station and the coaches that have been prepared for patients.

Photos: Rajwant Rawat

The Indian Railways has suspended all the train services at Delhi's Anand Vihar railway station from Monday.Those trains have been directed to the Old Delhi railway station.

Nearly 270 coaches at Anand Vihar are being turned into wards. 40 are ready with oxygen cylinders, beds and toilets.

All five trains, which earlier operated from Anand Vihar, will now run from old Delhi railway station.

As per sources, each coach will have 16 beds. The first cubicle would be kept reserved for the doctor.

Food, electricity and water will be provided by Indian Railways but the health facilities and connection with the hospital will be the responsibility of the Delhi government.

As per Delhi government, coaches will be used as COVID Care Centers for patients with mild symptoms of the infection. Those who cannot be kept in isolation at home will be treated here.

The train coaches will be well-equipped with all the necessary medical facilities. From oxygen cylinders to medical supplies to blankets to even sterilized berths. As per the railway ministry, these isolation wards will also have proper mosquito nets, dustbins, fans, lights, charging points for laptops and phone devices.

The train coaches have been modified at Rs 2 lakh each.

The metal plates on the sides of coaches that used to display the train route will now read "Covid-19 isolation".

Anand Vihar railway station is being manned by paramilitary personnel both at entry and exit points. The area outside the station wore a deserted look with only a few workers in sight, carrying medical equipment.