In yet another milestone for the state-run transporter, the blue Coverall, the vital personal protection equipment to fight COVID-19 pandemic, made by Northern Railway’s Jagadhari workshop has got the DRDO approval on Sunday paving the way for its mass production at all rail workshops and production units across the country.
“The report holds good for the sample submitted to DRDO as the pilot sample,” the test report by DRDO stated on April 5 after testing all the technical specifications of the Coverall garment made at the workshop.
Considered as a big boost to equip doctors, paramedics, sanitary staff on the front line in the fight against the pandemic, the Coverall made at Jagadhari workshop using the seat manufacturing machine would cost about Rs 200 per piece as against Rs 750 the current market rate.
As of now, 3374 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 79 deaths have been reported in the country. 267 persons have been cured/discharged from the hospitals after recovery. 274 districts have been affected by COVID-19 virus in the country.
The Cabinet Secretary has also directed all DMs to ensure that the Pharma units for manufacturing medicines and medical equipment are smoothly run.
Besides, converting coaches into isolation wards, Northern Railway will now manufacture about 100 Coveralls per day at its various workshops including Jagadhari, Kalka, Charbagh and Arambagh, said General Manager of Northern Railway Rajeev Choudhury.
While the government is procuring 1.3 crore Coveralls from outside to cater to the massive need of this garment, the mass production at rail workshops is expected to ease the demand-supply chain in the wake of coronavirus scare.
With the Gwalior-based DRDO’s approval, a must for the use and mass production of Coveralls, development of this vital PPE in a quick time can set a benchmark for others to follow and this will help boost the production of the essential gear required by healthcare and sanitary workers in preventing novel coronavirus spread.
Jagadhari Workshop will share the technical details including specifications of the approved sample and quantities of materials required for producing PPEs, with other zonal workshops and production units of Indian Railways.
Meanwhile, keeping in view to save themselves from infected people, Jagadhari Workshop has installed four-hand free washing hand equipment where people can wash their hand without touching tap and soap.
This equipment is operated by using leg. When you put pressure by leg on equipment, liquid solution and water will come automatically and people can wash their hands or can use water.
When you released the pressure by leg, liquid solution and water will stop coming out immediately. Such hand free washing hand equipment has been installed at four locations in shops and store at Jagadhari and one more will be installed at Jagadhari Hospital.
The public transporter has ensured that the supply of sugar, salt and edible oil are fully maintained for the consumption of the common man during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Railways has transported 1342 wagons of sugar, 958 wagons of salt and 378 wagons/tanks of edible oil till April 4.
Indian Railways has been making all efforts to ensure that there is no shortage of sugar, salt and edible oil for the consumption of the common man during the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19.
The loading, transportation, and unloading of these essential commodities have been in progress in full swing during this period.