Kanpur: In a remarkable display of compassion and presence of mind, women passengers aboard the Gorakhdham Express transformed a train coach into a makeshift maternity ward on Sunday, helping a pregnant woman safely deliver a baby boy while the train was speeding between Ghaziabad and Kanpur.By the time the train reached Kanpur Central Station, a railway medical team was waiting on the platform and shifted the mother and newborn to Ursala Hospital. Both were reported to be healthy.The Gorakhdham Superfast Express, which runs from Bhatinda in Punjab to Gorakhpur, was approaching Kanpur when the woman, travelling on seat number 32 in the S-1 coach, went into labour. On receiving the information, the TTE and RPF immediately alerted the railway administration.Women passengers requested the male passengers to step outside the coach and used bedsheets to create a protective enclosure. Working together, they ensured a safe delivery at 5:10 am, and the woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Sheila Tiwari, a co-passenger from Basti, informed the TTE about the woman’s labour pain, following which the TTE arranged a berth for her.The TTE and RPF also informed Kanpur Central Station in advance. Even before the train arrived at Platform No. 9, RPF personnel, the Meri Saheli team and railway medical staff had been deployed.The train reached Kanpur at 6:25 am on Monday, where Dr Ritesh and his team examined the mother and newborn. After finding both in stable condition, they were shifted by ambulance to Ursala Hospital.The woman’s husband, Firoz, said he became extremely anxious when his wife went into labour and could not imagine how the delivery would take place in a moving train. He expressed gratitude to the women passengers, whose courage and timely assistance ensured a safe childbirth. The birth of the baby brought cheers across the coach, with fellow passengers congratulating the couple.
