Maligaon, March 17 (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) has been undertaking thorough cleaning of all coaches, railway premises with special emphasis on frequent disinfection of coaches to prevent the possibility of spread of coronavirus.
NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Subhanan Chanda said in a press release that sanitizing of all critical areas of mass contact in all the coaches are being done after the rake is released from Pit examination and washing. A dedicated team for disinfection work has been deployed to carry out this task in all divisions, he said.
Additionally, On Board House Keeping Service staff are carrying out on board cleaning of all long distance passenger carrying mail/express trains on frequent intervals, the release stated. There are 10 to 12 OBHS staffs in each train who carry cleaning equipment and disinfecting chemicals with them to keep the inside of coach clean and hygienic during journey, it added.
Earlier, the NFR had withdrawn the provision of blankets and curtains in air-conditioned coaches of all trains to prevent spreading of novel corona virus. Special drives for disinfection are also being carried out in all major stations with huge footfall of passengers.
Simultaneously, announcements in local languages are being made through Public Address system in all stations and posters depicting Dos and Don’ts are being displayed in all stations and trains in order to create awareness about the COVID-19 disease among passengers and people in general. Videos showing the precautions to be taken are being played in stations where such facilities are available. Senior railway officials are regularly monitoring the preparedness to deal with any possible outbreak.
According to the release, NFR has opened Medical Control Rooms at designated hospitals within its operational area. Details of such hospitals with contact numbers of doctors have been circulated through various media including social media, it said. Provisions of 1122 beds have been kept ready in different locations for keeping the patients in quarantine if required and railway authorities are in close contact with the nodal authorities of state governments for close coordination, it said.
