After deciding to shut down the oldest Asian passenger railway network for the first time in 167 years, the Indian Railways decided on supporting the nation's fight against COVID19 in a unique manner.  The Railway authority allocated 20,000 passenger coaches to the cause.  It was decided that 20,000 coaches be converted to isolation coaches if need be.

Preparing to Combat Coronavirus: In a novel initiative, Railways has converted train coaches into isolation wards for COVID-19 patients 🛌

Now, Railways will offer clean, sanitised & hygienic surroundings for the patients to comfortably recover. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/miYO3LOGfN

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 28, 2020

Preparing to Combat Coronavirus: In a novel initiative, Railways has converted train coaches into isolation wards for COVID-19 patients 🛌

Now, Railways will offer clean, sanitised & hygienic surroundings for the patients to comfortably recover. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/miYO3LOGfN

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 28, 2020

The Indian Lockdown, which was a bold step taken by the government in consultation with key stake holders, resulted in the number of cases and fatalities being the lowest in the world when compared to its population. This was reported by John Hopkins University on April 1.

In the first phase it was decided to convert 5,000 coaches to isolation coaches across India.  The North Western Railways was asked to convert 266 coaches, of which 37 were alloted to Udaipur.  A team of 150 members have begun the mission on war front to convert 37 coaches into isolation coaches in order to meet any immediate eventualities.

As per the authorities at the Udaipur Railway Station, the 37 coaches will consist of 22 Non AC coaches and 15 General Coaches.  One Indian Lavatory in each coach will be converted into a full fledged bathing area for the patients. The entire set of 37 coaches will be ready in the next 3 days, said a team member supervising the task.