Safety first: Hyd Metro first in India to launch Ozone-based sanitisation of train coaches

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited has become India's first metro rail to introduce Ozone-based sanitisation of its train coaches. Kickstarting the process, it has inducted three portable Ozycare Mobizone units to sanitise the coaches in line with building confidence among passengers for safe travels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sanitisation of air and surface by ozone has been widely used in hospitals, food processing facilities, and for the disinfection of water.

Hyderabad Metro Rail said it has conducted rigorous testing of Ozycare Mobizone equipment on various metro coaches for the past few months, which was followed by testing of the efficacy of the sanitisation by a NABL-accredited lab. The lab has attested to the effectiveness of the machine in neutralizing more than 99% of pathogens from the air and surface of the coaches. Based on its effectiveness, Hyderabad Metro Rail is now using Ozycare Mobizone equipment to sanitise the metro coaches providing a safer traveling experience to passengers, it said.

K.V.B Reddy, the MD and CEO of L&TMRHL, said, "We are happy to announce that we have introduced three top-end Ozycare Mobizone equipment to provide a fully sanitised travel experience for our metro travellers. These units are robust enough to neutralise more than 99% of pathogens both from the surface and air within the train coaches. This is a strategic decision, which we have taken as part of our confidence-building exercise to make the travellers' journey safer. Especially when we are back on the full-service mode, we hope this move would infuse a sense of confidence among the passengers making them choose metro as their preferred mode of commute during the pandemic."

How does the system work?

Hyderabad Metro Rail has three coaches on every train. The individual machines are kept and operated in each coach for sanitisation. Ozycare Mobizone machines are handled in a controlled environment to sanitise the train coaches. As per the sanitization protocol of this machine, the Ozone cycle lasts for less than 10 minutes followed by an ozone destruction cycle that ensures post-sanitization safety as per OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) norms. During this period, this machine sanitises the entire coach neutralizing more than 99% of pathogens from its ambient air and surface. The entire disinfection process has been tested and validated by a NABL accredited lab for efficacy and safety.

Currently, the Ozycare Mobizone units are being used at the Hyderabad Metro Depot for disinfecting the metro coaches. These units are add-ons to the regular rigorous manual sanitization.

Benefits galore

Being a strong oxidizing agent, Ozone (O3) is a great air and surface disinfectant and one of the most effective sterilization tools. Ozone can kill more than 99% of 650 different kinds of pathogenic organisms and it is very safe and efficient. It destroys germs, viruses, bacteria, and microbes that may cause surface or air contaminations. Since the distribution happens in gaseous form, it penetrates the gaps and hidden crevices that are hard to sanitise. After its usage, no rinse is required as it does not leave any residue on the surface.

Some of the benefits of using this technology include:

· Elimination or reduction in microscopic organisms.

· Sterilization of any surface and air space in multiple areas.

· Safe and efficient process.

· Leaves no harmful by-products.

· No toxic emissions and no corrosion due to controlled usage and destruction.

· No residue to aerate.

· No rinsing required.

· Produced on-site.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyderabad Metro Rail said it has ramped up the COVID-19 safety protocols. This includes rigorous monitoring and implementation of the safety guidelines. Passengers are mandated to keep wearing masks all the time, focus on social distancing, and undergo mandatory thermal screening before entering the metro premises.