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Improve Response of Railways in COVID & preparedness for future…
Improve Response of Railways
in COVID & preparedness for
future events
Political Aspects of decision
Projection of railways by ministry as an asset that can be exploited in pandemic may slower development of new hospitals.
Selective deployment in few states only (Maharashtra, UP, MP, Delhi) despite ward shortage across nation
Clashes in Central and state as Railways is centre managed dept
Polarization of special COVID trains to certain routes due to media or court influence, rather than uniformity and demand based distribution
Policy of locating patients near oxygen plants may prove more effective than transmitting oxygen fast by using railways and other modes
Social Impact
Disruption in timetable of other trains and cancellation, passenger discomfort eg. Tata-Howrah express cancellation protest
Increase chances of railway staff as COVID wards are created in railway facility
Unemployment amongst train vendors for reduced no of passenger trains operating
Feeling of discomfort in COVID coaches ,as its not designed as a medical bed
Theft of equipment/bedsheets etc post pandemic wave
Financial Impact
Cancellation of 56 passenger trains. At 70% current operation loss of ~121 billion Rs. Carrying oxygen on priority would impact passenger revenue.
Oxygen Express being given priority over all other freight consignments likely to impact freight business of Indian railways which is its major revenue source.
Loss to business especially fertilizer ( & agriculture), mining and metal manufacturing which are highly dependent on rail.
Cost of oxygen vehicles is high if we are looking for their transport through dedicated train routes in India. Eg cost of cryogenic tank ~10L/unit.
Solutions like GPS based tracking or AI based demand supply mapping as suggested by Green hat requires additional investment over current operating cost.
Future Demand & Environment
No prediction of time and duration of 3rd wave can be done at good accuracy rendering recourses unused for long/damaging them
Environment Impact of over generation- setting up too much oxygen generation as transportation becomes effective will have negative impact on environment as it consumes lot of power and other raw materials.
Vaccination drive is going on priority which will be supportive in lowering cases
Continuity of second wave- it was predicted that COVID will reach its peak in 1st week May. Post it cases may decline making current infra sufficient
Possible environment damage due to dumping of unused equipment if demand falls
Technological Sufficiency
Railways lack specialized containers eg cryogenic wagons for carrying greater volume of oxygen. Currently they are transporting oxygen vehicles(~30m3/cont over freight facilities)
Specialized equipment like ventilators are yet to be installed in rail coaches
Feasibility of continuous oxygen supply through pipeline is a challenge if coaches are converted into hospital wards. They might be suitable for isolation facility or low
India is dependent on other nations for mobile oxygen generation plants. Concepts like Oxygen on wheel (discussed as a creative solution by Green hat) may increase dependence on these suppliers.
Lack of coldchain specific wagons, damages to vaccines or medicies if used as a transportation medium.