India's federal government said it will provide New Delhi's city authorities with 500 railway coaches that will be equipped to care for coronavirus patients, after a surge in the number of cases led to a shortage of hospital beds, Reuters reported.

The coaches will increase Delhi's capacity by 8,000 beds, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah said on Twitter after a meeting with the capital's chief minister.

The government will also ramp up testing in the city, especially in containment zones, conduct a door-to-door health survey of residents and provide sufficient supplies of oxygen cylinders and ventilators, he said.