Indian Railways Customised Coaches With Foot Operated Flushes For Post Covid Travel

by Sanjana Shenoy
Indian Railways Customised Coaches With Foot Operated Flushes For Post Covid Travel

The Indian Railways introduced the first COVID-19 coach with foot-operated tap and flush. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal took to Twitter on July 14 to share details of these newly customised Post-COVID coaches. The Indian Railways designed these coaches. The Railway Minister informed that these new coaches come with various amenities. This includes copper-coated handrails and latches, handsfree amenities and plasma air purification to name a few. He also indicated that these new coaches could be the new normal. These post COVID coaches rolled out from the Railway Coach Factory in Kapurthala. They also have foot-operated water tap, lavatory doors, flush valve, latches and soap dispensers. Amid this new update, the Indian Railways is all set to become the world’s first green railways by 2030. 

indian railways
Picture Credits: Twitter/ Piyush Goyal

Indian Railways Introduces Post COVID Coaches With Foot Operated Tap & Other Handsfree Amenities

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal shared details on July 14 about the newly customised “Post-COVID” coaches designed for the Indian Railways. He said in his tweet “Future Ready Railway: Designed to fight Coronavirus, Railways creates 1st ‘ Post-COVID Coach’ with handsfree amenities, copper-coated handrails and latches, plasma air purification, Titanium di-oxide coating. For COVID-Free passenger journey!” Goyal also hinted that these new railway coaches could be the new normal amid the pandemic.

Also Read: Indian Railways To Have Air Conditioning As Strong As Operation Theatres

Amenities Include Copper Coated Handrails & Latches To Prevent Infection

Railway Coach Factory in Kapurthala introduced these new coaches. They have foot-operated water tap and soap dispensers, flush valve, latches and lavatory doors. Out of the two new coaches, one is airconditioned. And the other is non-air-conditioned. Railways announced minimisation of the use of hands to navigate washrooms and other parts of the coach. Almost making them hands-free. The new coaches also have copper-coated handrails and latches. The Railways informed to media houses “Copper degrades the virus landed on it within a few hours. Copper has anti-microbial properties. When virus lands on copper, Ion blasts pathogen and destroys the DNA and RNA inside the virus.” The Indian Railways deployed 960 COVID care coaches in 5 Indian states to help fight the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.  

indian railways
Picture Credits: Twitter/ Piyush Goyal

Post-COVID Coaches Also Offer Plasma Air Equipment In AC Duct

These post-COVID coaches also provide plasma air equipment in the AC duct. This will sterilise the coaches with ionised air making it COVID-19 free. The new coaches also applied a special nanostructured titanium dioxide coating on washbasins, lavatory, seats and berths, snack table, glass window, floor. The Railways stated “This is an eco-friendly water-based coating that kills viruses, bacteria, mould, and fungal growth and most importantly enhances indoor air quality. It is non-toxic and approved by the food testing laboratory of the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). It is considered to be a safe substance, and is harmless for humans.” This special coating stays effective for 12 months and it’s applied on every surface that it comes in contact with. If this excites you, then wait till we tell you that the future has an underwater bullet train in Kolkata.