Sonia Gandhi inaugurates the new Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital on a train

The newest version of the Magic Train of India, was inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at a function presided over by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, on July 12th, 2007, in the National Rail Museum, New Delhi.

Originally comprising four old rail coaches, the new Lifeline Express now has five coaches with a sophisticated main operation theatre, a six-bed post operative ward in addition to a medical store, an office and staff living quarters. The additional two-bed operation theatre can also function as a stand-alone hospital in times of emergencies. The five--coach hospital train is custom–built in the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai and contains state-of-the-art equipment.

In his welcome address Impact India Foundation’s Chairman, A. H Tobaccowala, greeted the guests of honour and stated that it was a day of joy and happiness for receiving the new Lifeline Express from our partners, the India Railways. He also pointed out that Impact has equipped it with the latest and most comprehensive hospital equipment and services, at a cost of over Rs. 2 crores.

“The Lifeline Express has been successful in providing medical facilities to the poor. The train would be on display at the Rail Museum here for the next four days, so that more and more people, besides school children can learn about it. It will be then sent to remote areas”, said the Union Minister of Railways, Lalu Prasad, while handing over the new Lifeline Express to Impact India Foundation.

Sonia Gandhi commended the noble endeavour by Impact India Foundation and expressed her satisfaction at being the single largest sponsor of Lifeline Express projects through the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. She expressed her gratitude to the Indian Railways for supporting the venture and remarked, “To no other than, that too, the poor of the country, living in the remote rural areas, the arrival of the Lifeline Express is a harbinger of hope. To them it is truly the Magic Train, its presence in their midst restores faith in humanity. Today’s ceremony is therefore more than just flagging a off of the new hospital train - it is a thanksgiving to all that Lifeline Express has achieved over the last 16 years. It is most appropriate that Impact is making the prevention of disability as important a feature of Impact India Foundation’s work as the corrective surgeries carried out in the Lifeline Express”.