As cities fall short of beds, more trains are being used as hospitals for COVID-19 patients. After Nandurbar, another such train will be used at Nagpur. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation commissioner on Monday asked for a hospital train for isolation and quarantine. An 11-coach converted train, equipped with medical facilities, is being readied. The railways are also mobilising isolation coaches at Inland Container Depot at Ajni area, Maharashtra, as per the state demand.

How many patients?

Each modified sleeper coach can accommodate 16 patients at a time and a train with 11 coaches can accommodate 176 patients at one time. The train has been equipped with oxygen cylinders and basic medical equipment. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and the Nagpur Divisional Railway Manager’s Office.