Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw issued directives to authorities to ensure all railway stations and passenger-carrying trains are equipped with medical box containing life-saving medicines and equipment, among other essentials, Vaishnaw said in a written response in the Rajya Sabha.

The decision was made following recommendations of an expert committee established at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

The issue was raised in the House after BJP MP Ryaga Krishnaiah inquired whether the Government had conducted any study or survey regarding the establishment of medical emergency centres at railway stations and on passenger trains across the country over the past five years.

Also read | Rail network boost: ₹18,658 crore projects to enhance connectivity across three states

“The need for and extent of providing medical facilities at railway stations and on trains was examined by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. In accordance with the orders, a committee of experts was set up at the AllIndia Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi,” the Minister explained.

He continued, “As per the recommendations of the expert committee, instructions have been issued to ensure that a Medical Box, containing life-saving medicines, equipment, oxygen cylinders, etc., is available at all railway stations and on passenger trains.” According to Vaishnaw, frontline staff, including train ticket examiners, train guards, station masters, and others, are trained to provide first aid.

“Regular refresher courses are conducted for such staff. A list of nearby hospitals and doctors, along with their contact details, is available at all railway stations. Ambulance services from the Railways, State Government/Private Hospitals, and ambulance providers are used to transport injured or ill passengers to hospitals or doctors’ clinics,” Vaishnaw said in his response.

Also read: Crowd management at railway platforms: Ashwini Vaishnaw green lights key decisions; Check details

Local cuisine to be available on more trains

Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently said that more trains will have local cuisines depending on the region they are passing through and that an important experiment in this regard has been started under the Southern Railways.

The minister’s response was to queries from DMK member Sumathy Thamizhachi Thangapandian, who requested that South Indian cuisine should also be available on Vande Bharat trains running in Tamil Nadu.

Thangapandianan also mentioned that pantry workers are predominantly speaking Hindi which is making it difficult for the passengers to communicate about their needs.

During the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw said the railways has done an important experiment in Southern Railways to make sure that local cuisine is served to the passengers.

“More and more trains will be getting local cuisine. That programme will be for the entire country, whichever train is passing through one particular region, railways is now trying to get the delightful experience of that cuisine for the passengers whether it is in eastern, western, north or south side…. That is a continuous improvement process we are taking up,” the minister said.