Indian Railway is taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, by taking all out efforts to supplement the health care initiatives of Government of India by producing Masks and Sanitizer in-house. Railways has utilized these face masks and sanitizers for the safety and protection of its staff members, RPF officials, freight service workers and other such members who are working across the network.
In order to step-up measures to prevent spread of Covid-19 virus, South Western Railways (SWR) has manufactured in-house 70,451 face masks and 9,532 liters of sanitizer up to 07.06.2020. Many of the employees and their families have also volunteered to manufacture the face masks from home and the same distributed to the essential staff.
With the active involvement of officers and staff, Face Masks and Sanitizers are being produced in-house at its Divisions and Workshops as below (up to 07.06.2020):
| S No. | Division/Unit | Masks (Nos.) | Sanitizer |
| 1 | Hubballi Workshop | 18,135 | 2,960 lts. |
| 2 | Hubballi Division | 12,807 | 3,990 lts. |
| 3 | Bengaluru Division | 27,029 | 1,870 lts. |
| 4 | Mysuru Workshop | 7,730 | 680 lts. |
| 5 | Mysuru Division | 4,750 | 32 ltrs |
| Total | 70,451 | 9,532 lts. |
Face masks are being made at the stitching and furbishing section of the workshops. They are being made using cotton cloth with bands for adjustments. The sanitizers are being prepared at the Railway workshops which cater to locomotive maintenance requirements such as lubricant analysis and chemical analysis. These laboratories are preparing sanitizers with the composition prescribed by WHO of surgical spirit, aloevera gel, glycerol and scent.
In addition to supplying mask and sanitizers to all frontline staff at stations and reservation officers, officers and staff of all administrative offices, are also being provided to protect them from the spread of Covid-19 virus. Contract labourers working at loading and unloading points are also being supplied with masks and sanitizers. All administrative office staff and frontline staff are also counseled to ensure social distancing and take precautions against Covid – 19 virus.
The workshops on SWR have also fabricated simple tap and hand spray dispensers which can be used without touching with hands. This is a safe alternative as the user can sanitize their hands without coming into contact with the dispenser. Both the tap and hand sanitizer dispenser are mechanically linked to peddles fixed at the bottom portion of the stand. Both the tap and sanitizer can be independently operated by pressing peddles. Releasing of peddle will automatically shut off supply of water and sanitizer liquid. Staff of workshops, C&W depots, Crew lobbies etc. is using them as a safe alternative to sanitize their hands before and after duty.
Source: South Western Railways-Press Release
