Medical facilities: court orders a pilot project at Dadar rly station

Fed up with the non-implementation of court orders and insensitivity shown by the Railways,the court had last month summoned the general managers of both the Railways. Both the general managers were present in the court on Thursday.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Samir Zaveri who had lost his legs in a rail accident 20 years ago. Zaveri had noted in his petition that a passenger had taken him to a hospital. Zaveri’s lawyer Jamshed Mistry informed the court that 70 charitable hospitals in the city are willing to treat rail accident victims irrespective of their financial status.

The court expressed its anger by asking why the court has to detail the authorities on what to do. “We are not interested in your affidavits. Human lives don’t depend on your affidavits,” Chief Justice Kumar said.

The court observed that the present facilities do not satisfy the prescribed standards for emergency medical treatment and transportation of victim. It also observed that there were no oxygen cylinders at the stations or round-the-clock medical officer to attend to victims.

It said the authorities should earmark a separate space at Dadar station for an emergency medical room and this room should have beds,stretchers and necessary medical equipment. The room shall be under the control of the rail officer on duty and this officer should be familiar with the medical facilities. There should also be a medical officer posted at the station.

The court ordered that the first aid kit should be regularly updated besides seeking arrangements for portable emergency medical kit and oxygen cylinders.

The court was informed that the 1298 helpline,which provides ambulances,will render its services from 8 am to 8 pm,after which it will be on call. “This is an interim arrangement as rail authorities have already invited tenders for procuring ambulances,” the court said. It also asked the Railways to post information about a victim on its websites.

It said the top railway officials need not be present for the next hearing if the compliance report is filed. If not,they will have to be present and notices will be issued against them,it said.