<span style="color: #222222;">The Railways has taken several steps and acted as a lifeline for the nation by carrying essential goods across the country during the lockdown period. After flights, the Railways remain the fastest mode of inter-state transportation for goods. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Talking to AIR News, Executive Director, Ministry of Railway, R D Bajpai said that parcel special trains and goods trains have ensured that all essential commodities are being supplied throughout the country. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said, the Railways has converted thousands of its coaches into isolation wards and is manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment, masks and sanitizers.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">                       </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports that the Railways has successfully executed more than 200 long pending maintenance projects of critical importance during COVID-19 lockdown period. This will boost safety and speed of train operations in key sections of tracks. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Railways operationalized over 4,000 Shramik Special trains across the country and transported more than 60 lakh passengers to their home states. The Railways distributed free meals and free water bottles to migrants travelling in these special trains. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In addition to Shramik Specials, Railways is running 15 pairs of special AC trains and 200 special trains. Railways is also making an all out effort to supplement the health care efforts of State Governments. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">A total of 5,231 train coaches were modified to be used as COVID Care Centres. Railways has deployed 960 COVID Care coaches in 5 states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Railways is also geared up to meet the challenge of providing protection to its front line medical workers and other operational staff persons, from the COVID-19 pandemic. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Railways workshops have produced around two lakh Personal Protective Equipments, PPE gowns and over seven lakh masks during the lockdown period. </span><br />''