BENGALURU DIVISION GEARS UP TO COMBAT COVID-19
Under the guidance of Shri Ashok Kumar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru Division, South of South Western Railway, the Division has taken up various preventive and relief measures against Pandemic Covid-19.
In the wake of national lockdown till 14 April, 2020, some classes of people especially daily wage labourers are finding it difficult to earn their daily bread.RPF (Railway Protection Force) Staff in Bengaluru Division is providing cooked food to about 250 daily wage labourers in Bengaluru City Area at this juncture.
Divisional Railway Hospital has earmarked 3 wards with 50 beds and full-fledged Isolation facility to accommodate Corona patients. 50% of Doctors and Para Medical staff have been given Hands-on-training in use of Ventilators. Other staff will be trained within next 3 to 4 days at Apollo Hospital, Bangalore.
About 200 rooms in Suprvisors’ Training Centre (STC) in Bengaluru City and Indian Railway Institute of Disaster Management (IRIDM) in Hejjala are available for quarantine facility at short notice. There toilet and kitchen facility in these places.
KSR Bengaluru-Hassan, Bangarapet – Marikuppam and Bangarapet -Yelahanka Sections where there is no movement of goods trains have been closed for traffic. Dharmavaram – Penukonda Section via Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam will also be closed from tomorrow.
Railway has been classified under essential category and movement of Railway staff is being allowed on the basis of Identity card. Essentiality Certificate is issued to staff who need to attend their duty and the same is being accepted by the State Government.
Initially, there were few cases in which staff had inconvenience in reaching Office. However, the same has been sorted out and as on date, there is no major problem. Staff, staying in far off places, is being asked to attend duty at their nearest work place itself to avoid travelling.
Intensive staff contact programme is being done. Divisional Railway Manager and other Branch Officers along with Medical staff are visiting Offices in various sections and counseling the staff regarding social distancing and basic hygiene.
Masks and sanitizers have been distributed throughout the Division and staff are using the same. During field contacts, it is noticed that all the staff are healthy and in good spirit. No case of any serious illness has been reported.
Shri A.K. Verma, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Bengaluru told that the Division is taking all necessary steps against the dissemination of COVID-19. He also informed that the availability of all essential items is being ensured. State Government is providing full support to the Railways to combat the Corona Virus. DRM thanked Infosys Foundation for providing 200 litres of hand sanitizers under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The hand sanitizer so received has been distributed across the division.
