Mumbai: Central Railway has initiated the process to expand emergency medical facilities across its Mumbai suburban network, with tenders floated for setting up medical rooms at 43 stations. The move is aimed at ensuring passengers injured in railway-related incidents, including falls from local trains, receive immediate medical attention during the crucial “golden hour”.At present, 12 emergency medical rooms are operational in the Mumbai suburban division. Three of these, at Kalyan, Byculla and Vashi, are under the medical department. Their management has been entrusted to Annie Foundation, Thane, since Aug 1, 2022, under a contract valid till July 31, 2027.The remaining nine medical rooms — at Karjat, Kurla, Titwala, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Ghatkopar, Thane, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg and Dombivli — are managed by the commercial department.With passenger footfall increasing at suburban stations, CR has now decided to expand the network of emergency medical rooms. The tendering process is being undertaken by the commercial department, and the new facilities are expected to become operational after completion of the process.At Chembur and Mankhurd, issues related to drug licences are being addressed, while at Khopoli, railway authorities are overseeing construction-related work following the monsoon. Once these processes are completed, medical rooms are expected to be opened at all three stations. The expansion comes against the backdrop of concerns over the availability of immediate medical assistance at suburban stations. In 2009, Bombay High Court directed the railway administration to take measures to decongest stations and provide emergency medical facilities so that injured passengers could receive treatment during the golden hour.Western Railway currently has emergency medical rooms at 22 of its 32 stations between Churchgate and Virar. In comparison, Central Railway has only 12 such facilities across its Mumbai suburban network, which includes more than 100 stations on the main and Harbour lines.Railway RTI activist Sameer Zaveri said CR should expedite the process and ensure that the new medical rooms become functional without delay.
