The sound of train whistles and the rumble of carriages define life in Bhusawal, a railway town tucked away in Maharashtra’s Khandesh region. Here, the railway isn’t just infrastructure—it’s a way of life. But while the town is well-connected by tracks, healthcare remains out of reach for many. Railway workers and their families, spread across remote pockets of the region, often find themselves racing against time when medical emergencies strike, with no immediate help in sight.

Against this backdrop of struggle and uncertainty, Rudra, the hospital on wheels, has become more than just a medical service—it’s a beacon of hope. For countless railway workers and their families, who once saw healthcare as an unreachable privilege, Rudra now brings healing right to their doorstep.

This powerful initiative is driven by Ity Pandey, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) for Bhusawal, whose creative thinking has turned a simple idea into a life-saving reality.

She is a seasoned officer with over 26 years of experience in the Indian Railways, is popular for her ability to think outside the box and push boundaries. A gold medallist in psychology from the University of Allahabad, she has served across various divisions, including Western Railway in Mumbai and Central Railway, before taking charge in Bhusawal as the Divisional Railway manager.

This train brings doctors to railway workers

“I conceived the idea of a ‘hospital on wheels’ because we wanted to provide medical aid to our injured employees. With more than 25,000 railway workers and their families spread across vast, remote areas, many did not have access to the essential healthcare or timely diagnoses needed to prevent worsening health issues. The remoteness of these areas, coupled with the shortage of medical professionals, aggravated the problem,” she tells The Better India.

“Our employees work in challenging conditions, and many of them live in isolated regions like Chalisgaon, Murtizapur, and Badnera,” she explains. “Seeking medical help is difficult because they have to travel to the Divisional Railway Hospital in Bhusawal, which is time-consuming. Many of our workers, especially those on the tracks, suffer from injuries that go untreated. This leads to long-term health complications that can easily be prevented with the right care,” she explains.

Rudra, the ‘hospital on wheels,’ is no ordinary train coach—it’s a moving lifeline. Housed within a 3-AC........

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