Army rolling stock, medical teams to help combat COVID-19 surge

Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 19

As the demand for medical oxygen increases across the country in the wake of a huge surge in cases of COVID-19 infections, the Army has pitched in with its railway rolling stock to help ferry oxygen transporters to various places.

“Based on a formal request by Indian Railways, #IndianArmy made available its critical rolling stocks for transportation of #Oxygen laden trucks to meet the critical requirement of Oxygen for #Covid hospitals across the country,” the Army’s official social media handles said.

“The first demand received is for 32 wagons of which the first rake is likely to leave Panvel for #Visakhapatnam for filling Oxygen by this evening,” the Army stated. Panvel is in Navi Mumbai.

The Army’s rolling stock comprises wagons of different types and categories that are normally used to transport heavy vehicles, equipment and personnel.

These are owned by the Army and not the Railways.

Amidst the unprecedented demand for oxygen at hospitals and healthcare centers, the Railways has decided to run ‘Oxygen Express’ trains over the next few days for ferrying liquid medical oxygen as well as oxygen cylinders across the country.

A special “green corridor” is being created for the fast movement of such trains.

The Army is also providing a medical team for the 500-bed Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel COVID Hospital set up by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) near the New Delhi airport. The hospital is being commanded by a Major General.

In addition, medical staff and medicines would also be made available by the Army for the make-shift COVID hospital being established by DRDO at Lucknow, which is expected to come up in the next 8-10 days.