(drivespark.com)
In the heart of Maharashtra’s Khandesh region, where the rhythmic clatter of trains echoes through the lives of thousands of railway workers, access to timely healthcare has long been a distant dream for those stationed in remote outposts. Enter Ity Pandey, the trailblazing Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Bhusawal—the first woman to hold the post—who envisioned and launched “Rudra,” a repurposed 3-AC train coach turned fully equipped mobile hospital. Since its inauguration by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan on January 8, 2025, Rudra has rolled out fortnightly health camps across the 1,053-km division, delivering essential medical services directly to workers and their families in isolated areas like gang huts and far-flung stations. In just months, it has touched over 1,266 lives, from Chalisgaon to Burhanpur, proving that innovation on rails can bridge the gap between duty and well-being.
A Vision Born of Empathy: Tackling Remote Healthcare Hurdles
As a 1995-batch Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) officer and gold medalist in psychology from the University of Allahabad, Ity Pandey brought a human-centered approach to her role in Bhusawal, a division spanning nine districts and serving 1.18 lakh beneficiaries, including 21,665 active employees and their dependents.
“We do not want any beneficiaries neglecting healthcare because of lack of time to visit a major center or other reasons,” she emphasized, highlighting the stark realities faced by track maintenance crews and station staff often miles from the Divisional Railway Hospital in Bhusawal. Drawing on in-house expertise from the railway workshop, Pandey orchestrated the transformation of an abandoned coach into Rudra at zero extra cost, embodying resourceful leadership that aligns with her broader push for employee welfare, including dedicated quarters for female staff.
Inside Rudra: A Rolling Lifeline Fully Loaded for Care
Rudra is no more ambulance—it’s a comprehensive clinic on tracks, outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities for general check-ups, ECG diagnostics, blood testing, and specialized consultations in gynecology, ophthalmology, and more 2 sources
Integrated telemedicine capabilities allow remote expert advice, ensuring even the most isolated workers receive prompt interventions for lifestyle diseases, early screenings, and maternal-child health needs. Stories abound of its impact: Naresh Badgujar, station manager at Chalisgaon, credits Rudra for finally addressing his chronic blood pressure issues without the arduous journey to Bhusawal. Each patient receives a unique ID for seamless follow-ups at subsequent camps or the central hospital, fostering continuity in a workforce where shifts never stop
Fortnightly Lifesaver: Camps That Reach the Unreachable
Operating on a disciplined fortnightly schedule, Rudra crisscrosses the division’s challenging terrains, hosting camps in hard-to-reach spots like Murtizapur, Nandgaon, and Akola.
Its inaugural run on January 18, 2025, at Chalisgaon set the tone, drawing crowds eager for accessible care.
By focusing on preventive health—early detection of ailments like hypertension and diabetes—Rudra not only treats but empowers, reducing the burden on static facilities and promoting a healthier railway family.
Charting the Future: Expansion and Lasting Legacy
The success of Rudra has paved the way for ambitious growth: Plans are underway to refurbish a second coach, adding dental services, advanced eye care, and even a small operation theater for minor procedures like cataract surgeries. Pandey’s innovative spirit has earned her the Rail Mantri Rajbhasha Rajat Padak in 2025 and a spot among the “24 Bureaucrat Change-makers of 2024,” recognizing her blend of empathy and efficiency. Though she stepped into a new chapter as Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM) of South Central Railway in Hyderabad on August 2, 2025, Rudra’s momentum continues, a testament to her vision that healthcare should track as tirelessly as the trains it