Indian Railways designs Post COVID coach

In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Indian Railways has been taking measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and its production unit, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, has developed a Post Covid Coach to combat COVID-19.

The rail ministry informed on Tuesday the Post COVID Coach has handsfree amenities, copper-coated handrails and latches, plasma air purification and titanium di-oxide coating for Covid free passenger journey.

The post COVID coach has all foot operated water tap, soap dispenser, lavatory door, flush valve, latches in lavatory door, outside washbasin with foot operated water tap and soap dispenser and forearm operated handle on compartment door.

The coach is equipped with copper-coated handrailsand latches because copper degrades the virus landed on it within few hours. Copper has anti microbial properties, the ministry stated.

In addition, the coach is having the provision of plasma air equipment in the AC duct. It will sterilize the air and surfaces inside the AC coach using ionized air to make the coach Covid-19 and particulate matter resistant. Moreover, the titanium Di-oxide coating applied on washbasins, lavatory, seats, and berths, snack tables, glass windows, floor, virtually every surface that comes in human contact. The effective life of this coating is 12 months and it is non-toxic and approved by the food testing laboratory of the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA), CE certified, the ministry added.