Covid-19 disinfectant technology developed by CSIO being installed in Parliament, rail coaches, enclosed spaces

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, January 17

Technology developed recently by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, is being installed to combat the Covid-19 pandemic in railway coaches, air conditioned buses and other indoor spaces, including Parliamnt and election campaign-related meetings.

The Ultraviolet (UV-C) based technology developed by CSIO under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR) is said to be effective for mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2 and will also remain relevant in post-Covid era.

The technology has been successfully tried in railways, buses and even in the Parliament House, and is now open for general roll-out for use by the common masses, according to a statement issued by the Science and Technology, today.

The Railways had carried out trials of the technology for a month in coaches on the Bandra to Chandigarh route, covering a distance of 1,000 km. Railway’s Research Designs and Standards Organisation, Lucknow, has recommended its use in all Railways coaches in a phased manner.

The technology has been developed according to the requirements for deactivation of SARS COV-2 virus contained in an aerosol with necessary ventilation measures, necessary safety and user guidelines and tested bio-safety standards. UV-C deactivates viruses, bacteria, fungus and other bio-aerosols with appropriate dosages of 254nm UV light, the statement added.

It uses UV lights installed in the air conditioning and ventilation ducts to kill the virus and bacteria present in re-circulated air and is suitable for installation in auditoriums, conference halls, classrooms, malls and offices.

Speaking virtually after releasing the CSIR Guidelines on Disinfection Technologies for Mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences; PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, said that that CSIR will write to the Election Commission of India for use of this technology during indoor meetings with limited capacity during the ensuing state assembly elections in five states as the commission has imposed a ban on physical rallies and road shows for a specific period.

The Commission had, however, recently allowed indoor meetings in the poll-bound states with a maximum attendance of 300 persons or 50 percent capacity of the hall or auditorium, subject to adherence to other Covid protocols.

The technology was installed in the Central Hall, Lok Sabha Chamber and two committee rooms of Parliament in July last year ahead of the monsoon session. Dr Jitendra said that he will take up a case to with the Secretary General of Rajya Sabha for installation of this technology ahead of the upcoming budget session.

Installation of this technology notwithstanding, strict adhere to Covid protocols, including the use of face mask, maintaining social distance, avoiding crowds maintai9ning personal hygiene and use of hand sanitisers has been highly recommended to check the spread Covid.

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