Metro Rail Hyderabad Inducts Ozone-based Sanitization of Metro Coaches for Passenger Safety

As part of its continuous efforts to make the metro travel safe for passengers, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (L&TMRHL) has become India’s first metro rail to introduce Ozone-based sanitization of its train coaches. Kickstarting the process, it has inducted three portable Ozycare Mobizone units to sanitize the coaches in line with building confidence among passengers for safe travels during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sanitization of air and surface by ozone has been widely used in hospitals, healthcare, food processing facilities, and for disinfection of water, among others as per the appropriate guidelines, according to a corporate communique.

Hyderabad Metro Rail 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 sanitization by a NABL accredited lab, which 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 sanitize the metro coaches providing a safer traveling experience to passengers.

Speaking on this occasion KVB Reddy, MD & CEO, L&TMRHL, said, “We are happy to announce that we have introduced three top-end Ozycare Mobizone equipment to provide a fully sanitized travel experience for our metro travelers. These units are robust enough to neutralize 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 travelers’ 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 the metro as their preferred mode of city commute during the ongoing pandemic.”

How does the system work?

Hyderabad Metro Rail has 3 coaches on every train. As per the process, the individual machines are kept and operated in each coach for sanitization. Ozycare Mobizone Machines are handled in a controlled environment to sanitize the train coaches. As per the sanitization protocol of this machine, the Ozone cycle lasts for less than 10 mins 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 sanitizes 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, which takes place across the metro network.

How it benefits passengers

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 & 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 residual on the surface.

Some of the benefits of using this technology include:

• Elimination or reduction in microscopic organisms
• Sterilization of any surfaces and air spaces in multiple areas
• Safe and efficient process use
• 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 onsite

In view of the ongoing COVID-19, Hyderabad Metro Rail 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 mandatory thermal screening before entering the metro premises.