A timely and compassionate response by Indian Railways staff during a medical emergency aboard the Vivek Express has drawn widespread appreciation on social media, highlighting the railways’ evolving passenger support systems.
The incident was shared through a Facebook post by Shubhangi Deshpande, who described how railway officials and a doctor came together to help her friend during a journey from Guwahati to Bhubaneswar on the Vivek Express.
Sudden illness during journey
According to the post, four women were travelling together when one of them developed severe stomach pain around 10.30 am. Despite administering a painkiller they had with them, her discomfort continued, leaving the group anxious about accessing medical help while the train was in motion.
The passengers then approached a ticket collector for assistance. The official reportedly noted the passenger’s PNR and seat details on a handheld digital device and assured them that help would be arranged at the earliest.
Quick coordination brings relief
About half an hour later, the ticket collector returned and connected the passengers with a doctor over the phone. The doctor spoke directly with the unwell passenger, assessed her symptoms and informed them that he would attend to her at the next station.
Medical assistance was subsequently provided at New Jalpaiguri railway station, where a doctor briefly boarded the train, administered an initial dose of medication and provided further doses for later use. By the following morning, the passenger’s condition had improved and she was reported to be stable.
Praise for railway staff
In her post, Deshpande thanked the Indian Railways staff, the attending doctor and the ticket collector, describing them as “devdoot” or angels. She also noted that the assistance was provided without any charge.
The incident underscores the growing coordination between digital tools and on-ground staff within Indian Railways, aimed at ensuring quicker and more effective responses to medical emergencies during train journeys.