40 State, rly staff vulnerable post travel with +ve RGGGH employee on spl train

Around 40 employees of various State government departments and the Southern Railways have become vulnerable to COVID-19 after a woman staff of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) who tested positive, travelled with them a few days ago. The infected RGGGH staffer had used a workmen special train that operated during mornings and evenings to ferry those engaged in essential services during the lockdown.

DT Next has learnt from correspondence between various State departments and Railway officers that 40 people had travelled with the infected woman in the last one month.

She has been travelling from Thiruvalluvar Nagar in Thanigai Polur panchayat near Arakkonam to RGGGH daily. Enquiries with local railway sources revealed that the 40 co-passengers were subjected to testing late last week. SR had even obliged the State machinery and delayed the operation of the special train a few days ago to identify people who might have travelled with her from Arakkonam to Chennai Central.

A senior officer at the zonal headquarters said the chances of their staff contracting the virus was remote as RGGGH staff was allotted exclusive coaches.

“First, we offered them six coaches. Then it was increased to eight. For the last few days, we have been providing 10 coaches to the State health staff (RGGGH). Our employees (railway men) do not board their coaches. They have separate coaches. But we are not leaving anything to chance. We have been closely monitoring the situation ever since it came to our notice a few days ago,” said a highly placed SR officer requesting anonymity. “State government officials are taking whatever precaution or follow up action is required,” the officer added.

Another employee pointed out that while their staff might not have travelled, mechanical staff might have attended the coaches after it returned to the yard.

“Other government staff might have used the coach during the return journey. There is no guarantee that the infected person travelled in only one coach. Many people are vulnerable now,” he said.

The Chennai railway division has been operating a workmen special train each for its staff and employees of essential state departments since the beginning of the lockdown.