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RECENT NEWS
1
www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in- 2020-06-15
Much has been said about COVID-19 and its wildfire spread. And much more about those who succumb due to pre existing conditions or co-morbidities. But through the info storm raging all around, one hospital has been silently doing its best to treat the patients who have entered its portals and seeing remarkable success. Railway Hospital Perambur, through its committed, team based approach, has seen several patients, some of whom had complex, much demonised ‘co-morbid’ conditions, come back from death’s door. As on this date a total of 135 COVID patients have received active treatment at the Perambur hospital and walked out winning the battle against the novel coronavirus. Railway hospital is not a scheduled COVID Care hospital. “When our patients came for other ailments and were found COVID positive during investigation, we had to make a choice. Provide them COVID care or refer them elsewhere. We decided to go ahead and address their COVID symptoms along with treatment for their ailments” says Dr. Nirmala Devi, Medical Director of the Railway Hospital Perambur. “We had to quickly upscale our resources and begin treating our patients for COVID 19 too” she says. For instance, Saroja* ,an 80 year old, a diabetic, who came with fever, breathlessness, cough and altered sensorium and was also found to be COVID 19 positive. Patient was treated with High Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy along with other measures. She was cured of both. ’It felt like a personal achievement for every one of us’ says Dr. Kalanidhi, the nodal physician. Or for that matter, Seetha, a known diabetic, who had rhythm disturbances with heart rate of 32- 35/min and fever. She had been scheduled for insertion of pacemaker and was routinely screened for COVID -19 before the process. She was found positive and was given medical management with Oxygen with other necessary drugs. The patient’s heart rate has stabilised, she is cured of COVID after hospital care and discharged. “The doctors explained to us the situation so well that we were convinced we were in good hands” says a relieved family member. Madhavi, 50 yrs of age, known patient of severe Interstitial Lung Disease, DM (Diabetes Mellitus), HTN (hypertension), DLP (Dyslipidimea), RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) presented with chest pain, myalgia, extreme breathing difficulty and fever, saturation rate of 44% and COVID positive. Inspite of the severely affected lung condition, Non invasive Ventilation & high flow oxygen helped in her cure and discharge to Institutional quarantine. “We started an extensive awareness programme among railway employees from day one. So we had a lot of patients turning up for treatment”. says Dr. Sinha Roy, pulmonologist and treatment lead of the team. Known for his skill and good bedside manners, his professionalism invariably convinces the patients and family to cooperate in the treatment. ‘Dr. Roy called us at midnight to arrange change of ward. Such was his commitment’ says a family member of Mallan, a patient with DM/HTN/CAD (Coronary artery disease) who came with fever, breathing difficulty and low saturation of 78%. With Oxygen supply and, High Flow Nasal Oxygen, he soon rallied around and was discharged, much to the joy of his daughter, a nurse herself. It is the team approach that has made the difference. Led initially by Dr. Nanda, then Principal Chief Medical Director, every one in the team was on boarded with individual responsibilities and all have pooled in irrespective of their seniority or specialisation. “We all do night duties and ward duties whether we are from ENT or pathology, HOD or junior doctor. says Dr Mussarrat, from the same hospital. The decision to treat COVID patients led to sudden up scaling of facilities with attendant administrative issues, like getting additional manpower, equipment, maintaining cleanliness, giving nutritious food to patients and getting repairs done for the hospital, etc. The hospital got excellent support from other railway departments, like personnel, finance, stores and civil and electrical engineering wings etc. All worked together like a well oiled machine. This was possible because of the support from the top management. “The procurement that used to take months earlier now got done in days taking cognisance of the gravity of the situation” says the medical Director. The comprehensive care given by the Railway Hospital, makes patients choose treatment here even for COVID 19. Like Santhanalakshmi, a 50 year old with uncontrolled DM & Hypertension, presented with fever, cough, and breathlessness with low saturation level. She was successfully treated with multi pronged care including O2 therapy and aggressive glycaemic control. Almost all these patients had co-morbid conditions, sometimes even severely so. But what made the difference was that the patients’ complete cooperation possibly because of the confidence generated by the team. “We were personally explained regarding the treatment and given good attention” says the son of a discharged patient. It has not been a bed of roses all the way, especially when some patients don’t pull through. It was especially difficult for the team, when two of their young and dedicated nursing supervisors got infected. Employed as Nursing Superintendents, they came into contact with COVID positive patients while working in ICU managing seriously ill COVID patients disregarding their own safety. Both needed oxygen therapy and symptomatic treatment. Happily for the team, both could be discharged fully cured. There have been critics, who, unaware of the efforts taken by the team, would constantly give adverse reports, often factually incorrect, among the employees, and sometimes even misleading the media. But these don’t deter the team. “We are a close knit, multi disciplinary hospital giving comprehensive care. Whatever isolated wards available in the hospital, are now earmarked for treating COVID-19 patients. Vacant railway quarters nearby have been taken up for institutional quarantine facility. Even the doctors and other support personnel are allotted vacant quarters as quarantine accommodation. “These have very sparse facilities but no one is complaining.” says Dr. Murthy, who is handling administration. Railways has been much applauded for its Shramik specials for guest workers, Parcel expresses ferrying essential goods etc. But the silent battle valiantly fought by these medical warriors, and the success they have achieved is no less valuable in this war against the Pandemic. It is events like these that build hopes in the hearts of those who dread the disease. (* Names of the patients changed for protection of privacy)
(B.Guganesan) Chief Public Relations Officer 2
www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in- 2020-05-26
Southern Railway completes three major infrastructural and safety works utilising lockdown period and Over 2.41 lakh migrant workers reach native through 193 Shramik Specials run by Southern Railway Southern Railway is effectively and efficiently utilising the lockdown period to carry out important infrastructure, safety and maintenance works. Two major rail bridge works and upgradation of Jolarpettai yard were successfully executed. These works were completed expeditiously focusing on enhancing the speed and safety of train operations. Demolition of Elephant Gate bridge in Chennai The Elephant Gate bridge, the old 9R bridge near Dr.MGR Chennai Central (ROB) was constructed during 1933. It is an important Grade separator in Chennai, located at the the exit neck of Chennai Central yard connecting the Basin Bridge coaching Depot on the right and the Salt Quarters goods yard on the left. All the expansion plans of Chennai central yard were hinging on the bottle neck of Bridge 9R as development was restricted to only 8 tracks and further development necessitated expansion of Road-over-Bridge.The bridge had out-lived its codal life . The Road traffic on the bridge has been closed since July 2016 for heavy vehicles and from December 2019 for Two Wheelers. Railways called tenders on two occasions to demolish the old ROB. However, due to High Tension Electric Cables (230 kv EHT and 110 kv EHT feeder total 12 Nos. belonging to TANGEDCO) were passing through the old ROB, the tenders were called off because without physical removal of these electric cables the demolition work could not be taken up. Accordingly, 3 Towers were erected in Railway Land by TANGEDCO and the above cables were diverted via these towers in March 2020. The dead cables of TANGEDCO were planned for removal just before taking up the demolition. Taking advantage of the lockdown period, Southern Railway immediately sprung into action and took concerted efforts by co-ordinating with Tamil Nadu State Government and Greater Chennai corporation authorities for taking up the demolition work. Dismantling of Top Slabs and Piers from all 8 Spans was executed by Diamond Wire Saw Cutters, while the slab weight was held by Cranes from Wall Tax side and from opposite Salt Cotaurs, 4 spans were planned to be cut from either side. Tools such as Diamond cutters, cranes of 250 and 220 MT , JCBs, generators etc were deployed. The bridge was successfully dismantled taking advantage of lock down period. on normal days this work would have necessitated a mega block in Chennai with cancellation of over 100 trains for two days handled at Dr.MGR Chennai Central and cancellation of Chennai suburban services from MMC (Chennai Suburban Terminal) for three days. Now, this work of demolition was taken up on 27th April and completed on 8th May, 2020 in just 12 days thus utilising the lockdown period effectively avoiding repercussions to passenger train operations. Thus, by expeditiously implementing the demolition, Southern Railway has ensured safety by removing a weak over-head structure. This demolition also paves the way for construction of new Road-over-Bridge also opening up the possibility of carrying out vital rail expansion works. The Work of re-building of this Bridge has been sanctioned in Pink Book of 2008-09 at an estimated cost of Rs 43.77 Crs. The construction of the new larger structure will commence shortly. The new bridge will comprise of two separate parallel bridges each having 2 lanes (12 metre wide) with Composite Bowstring Steel Girders. The General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) for reconstruction was mutually finalized and approved by Railways and Greater Chennai Corporation. The work has been awarded at a cost of Rs 35.76 crores for Railway portion on 16- 04-2020 and the works would be carried out expeditiously. Renovation of Century old bridge near Erode in Salem Division Southern Railway carried out the renovation of a century-old railway bridge near Erode in record time during lockdown period. This bridge was originally built in 1862. This railway bridge is located at Km 384/900-384/000 on downline between Anangur – Caveri railway stations (near Erode). The existing railway bridge, which falls under Salem Division, is of Brick Arch consisting of three spans of 9.15 metres. The work was originally planned to be executed with 2 temporary girders of 60feet with crib support in the centre. However, considering the opportunity of dealing with lesser trains during this Lock down period, it was proposed to rebuild directly without temporary girder for continuous 36 hours block as this was the best suited option. The rebuilding work taken up from from 8.00 hours of 04.05.2020 and completed at 17.00 hrs of 05.05.2020. During this period all the trains were dealt on single line between 3 stations ie Sankaraidurg to Erode. Modification and improvement of Jolarpettai yard to enhance Speed and Safety of operations Jolarpettai Junction Railway Station serves as a major railhead under Chennai Division of Southern Railway handling over 190 train services daily. Southern Railway is carrying out major infrastructure and safety works during lockdown to obviate disruptions to passenger train operations. Upgradation of 4 Km long Jolarpettai yard taken up during this period has paved the way for enhanced Speed and Safety of train operations at Jolarpettai. This vital yard modification work at Jolarpettai yard commenced on 14th May and was completed on 21st May, 2020. The existing permanent speed restriction of 15 kmph would be completely relaxed and trains can now be operated at 110 kmph without any speed restrictions. This would result in substantial reduction in journey time of trains passing through Jolarpettai. This saves 20 minutes in a single trip and 40 minutes for round trip of turn around trains from Bangalore, Coimbatore, etc., from Chennai . The work is part of series of modifications being executed at Jolarpettai yard at cost of 20.75 croresThe upgradation works at Jolarpettai yard also included the following important remodeling works: 1. Provision of main electronic interlocking cabin, auxiliary interlocking cabins and three object controller. This transformation from the aged route relay interlocking would ensure safe train movement synergizing the relationship between points and signals.2. Elimination of 3 nos 1:8.5 diamond crossings and replacement with simple points. This would improve the safety and reliability of train operation by removing the complex layout. 3. Elimination of two 2.2-degree reverse curves in main lines into simple curves of 1 degree increasing the speed potential from 80 to 110. 4. Provision of simultaneous reception and despatch of trains towards Bangalore by creating isolation to goods yard 5. Isolation of through goods lines and common loop from main line by provision of 3 sand humps 6. Elimination of 6 redundant points from Passenger running lines 7. Deep screening of 3000 m plain track and 34 points in main line to enable safe running in higher speeds. 8. Insertion of 166 new glued joints to facilitate new track circuits. 9. Interlocking of LC gate BP1 which is Chennai division's last non-interlocked gate 10. Elimination of LC gate 87 by provision of alternate route through Limited Use SubwayIn an initiative to ferry stranded migrant labourers to their homes, Southern Railway, in close coordination with State Government authorities, has operated 193 Shramik Special trains to various destinations as on 24.05.2020. Among others, 61 trains were run to destinations in Bihar, 40 trains to Uttar Pradesh, 33 and 16 trains to Jharkhand and Odisha respectively. The top 3 terminals that operated highest number of Shramik Special trains are Dr MGR Chennai Central (37 trains), Coimbatore Junction (25 trains) and Mangaluru Junction (15 trains). 129 trains departed from Tamil Nadu destinations while 48 trains left Kerala carrying migrant workers. As on 24.5.2020, a total of 2,41,850 guest workers brought and facilitated by State Southern Railway Governments have been ferried by these trains. Directives and guidelines stated by Ministry of Railways, Home Ministry and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were enforced at railway station premises and onboard trains. Thermal screening of passengers at entry points and social distancing norms were strictly adhered. Food and water bottles were arranged for the passengers of Shramik Special trains. Southern Railway’s ramps up in-house production of PPEs Southern Railway has been manufacturing full body coverall (PPE). This work was undertaken at three major workshops of the Southern Railway viz., Carriage works, Perambur, Loco Works, Perambur and Golden Rock workshop at Tiruchirapalli. So far, 6800 PPE full body coveralls have been produced by the workshops of Southern Railway upto 24.5.2020.The in-house production also includes other PPEs such as masks/face covers and hand sanitisers at it workshops, Loco sheds and other coach maintenance depots in various divisions. As on 24.5.2020, a total of 184332 masks/face covers and 18350 litres of face sanitizers have been manufactured in-house for captive consumption of Railway hospitals and Railway employees.Food distribution to needy Southern Railway staff have worked tirelessly since 28th March 2020 to provide cooked meals to needy people after the lockdown was imposed due to COVID-19. Railways has been providing bulk cooked food with paper plates for lunch and food packets for dinner through IRCTC base kitchens, RPF resources and contribution of NGOs. While delivering the food to needy persons, social distancing and hygiene is being observed.Distribution of food is being done with the help of RPF, GRP, commercial departments of Zones, State Governments, District administrations and NGOs, even beyond the station vicinity to cater to the food requirements of needy people in areas surrounding the railway stations . As on 24th May, 2020, a total of 207548 free meals have been distributed to needy persons with IRCTC supporting 170700 meals and 36848 meals contributed by private agencies. (B.Guganesan) Chief Public Relations Officer
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