In a remarkable fusion of ingenuity and compassion, Ity Pandey, the Divisional Railway Manager at Bhusawal Junction in Maharashtra, has transformed an abandoned train coach into a fully functional mobile hospital, aptly named “Rudra”. This innovative initiative aims to bridge the healthcare gap for over 25,000 railway workers and their families residing in remote areas of the Bhusawal Railway Division.
The Genesis of Rudra
The idea for Rudra was conceived out of necessity. Many railway employees and their families live in isolated regions with limited access to medical facilities. Recognizing the urgent need for accessible healthcare, Pandey envisioned a mobile solution that could reach these underserved communities. The concept was to repurpose an old train coach into a traveling clinic, bringing medical services directly to those in need.
Transforming the Train Coach
Securing approval for the project was the first hurdle. Initially, the mechanical department was hesitant to release an old coach, as these are typically reserved for emergencies. However, Pandey’s persistence and vision for the greater good led to the green light for the project. An old 3-tier air-conditioned coach was sourced from the Matunga Central Railway workshop in Mumbai and transported to Bhusawal.
Skilled workers at the Bhusawal workshop undertook the task of converting the coach into a mobile hospital. The transformation included the installation of essential medical equipment such as ECG machines, blood collection and laboratory facilities, obstetrics and gynecology
units, and general treatment rooms. The coach was also painted white and adorned with flowers, symbolizing hope and healing.
Services Offered by Rudra
Rudra operates as a comprehensive mobile healthcare unit, offering a range of services to railway workers and their families. These include:
● General health check-ups
● Specialist consultations
● Diagnostic services
● Maternal and child healthcare
● Emergency medical care
Each patient treated aboard Rudra is assigned a unique ID, creating a digital health record that can be accessed at the Divisional Railway Hospital in Bhusawal for follow-up care.
Impact and Reach
Since its inception, Rudra has made significant strides in improving healthcare access. In a single day, the mobile hospital treated 259 individuals, including employees, their families, and retired workers. Common ailments addressed include anemia and high blood sugar levels. The mobile clinic operates on a fortnightly schedule, visiting remote stations such as Chalisgaon, Murtizapur, and Badnera, ensuring that medical care reaches even the most distant communities.
Future Plans
Building on the success of Rudra, plans are underway to expand its services. A second coach is being considered to provide specialized care in areas such as ophthalmology and dentistry. This expansion aims to further enhance the healthcare offerings and cater to a broader range of medical needs within the railway community.
Conclusion
Ity Pandey’s innovative approach to healthcare delivery exemplifies how resourcefulness and dedication can overcome challenges and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Rudra stands as a testament to the power of creative problem-solving in addressing healthcare disparities and serves as an inspiring model for similar initiatives across the country.
References:
- Moneycontrol City Desk. “How this railway officer transformed abandoned coach into India’s first mobile hospital in Maharashtra’s Bhusawal.” Moneycontrol, 10 Sep 2025. (Moneycontrol)
- The Better India (Raajwrita Dutta). “How 1 Officer Converted an Abandoned Train Coach into a ‘Hospital on Wheels’, Helping 1,000+ Railway Workers.” The Better India, 09 Sep 2025. (The Better India)
- ET Infra – The Economic Times. “Central Railways rolls out ‘Rudra’ – India’s first mobile hospital train coach serving staff across 9 districts.” ETInfra, 27 Mar 2025. (ETInfra.com)
- Digital Health News (Aashi Agarwal). “Railway Officer Turns Abandoned Coach into a Mobile Hospital in Maharashtra.” Digital Health News, Sep 2025. (Digital Health News)
- DailyGood / Good News Network. “Officer Converts Old Train Car Into ‘Hospital on Wheels’ to Bring Healthcare to Remote India.” DailyGood, 12 Sep 2025. (DailyGood)
