Railways working on proposal to keep doctors on call in trains

Chandigarh: Railway Ministry is working out on a proposal of providing doctor on call facility in trains by increasing the travel concessions given to the medicos and asking them to remain available during emergency situation.

Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said this on Saturday after inaugurating the Golden Jubilee Alumni Convention of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research here. The Railways already gives 10 per cent of fare concession to the doctors. "There is a provision for small concessions to the doctors travelling on train. I would like to extend that. I would like to somehow see what we can do in that regard," Bansal said. He said doctors will be given fare concessions at the time of ticket reservation, and will be requested to be available in case of medical emergencies in running trains. Bansal, however, said providing medical care in every train cannot not be possible. "It will be extremely difficult to provide full (medical facilities) in every train," he said. He said the concessions, whatever they are worked out, will be for all doctors, including private medicos. "It will for all doctors. There is already some concession of 10 per cent of fare (given to doctors), we will see what we can do in this regard. I will see what (more) can be done. But definitely, I would like to strengthen first-aid facility," he said. Bansal said on an average, 2.3 crore passengers travel daily in the trains across the country. Asked about the lack of ramp facility on various railway platforms across the country, Bansal said there is need for escalators and lifts at some platforms, and the ministry will soon install 122 escalators and some lifts there. "I know this involves a lot of expenditure. To provide this facility at all platforms will involve a major expenditure, but to start with, we will undertake the exercise at some platforms," he said. PTI