Indian Railways transports mortal remains at a fraction of the cost charged for air or road travel. It also offers free carriage when a patient dies during treatment at a major government hospital, subject to certification by the hospital. The facility covers transport from the station nearest the hospital to the one nearest the deceased’s home.
A staff member of a private ambulance service in Shenoy Nagar said the firm had transported two bodies to Bhubaneswar by train about two years ago. Since these procedures take time and cannot be rushed, the entire process can sometimes take up to two days before the body is dispatched,” he said. Indian Railways also offers free carriage of mortal remains when a patient dies while undergoing treatment at a major government hospital, subject to certification by the hospital. The facility covers transportation between the railway station nearest to the hospital and the station nearest to the deceased’s hometown. “Train transport can be arranged only after completing police and hospital formalities, embalming and packing the body. A medical certificate confirming that the death was not caused by an infectious disease must be produced at the time of booking, and freight charges must be paid in advance. A responsible person must accompany the body on the same train and take charge of it at the destination.