Kolkata, May 28, 2024

            Eastern Railway (ER) has brought an IoT based system – ‘Gandhvedh’ for real time cleanliness and hygiene monitoring of Railway toilets. After successful trial of this system at some station toilets in Central Railway (Mumbai zone),  ER is shortly going to conduct field trials of this real time hygiene monitoring system 'Gandhvedh' , as per instruction of the Railway Board. The field trial will be conducted in three trains of Howrah division, three trains of Sealdah division, two trains of Asansol division & two trains of Malda division with Gandhvedh device. The device generates a signal in case of deteriorated health & hygiene conditions of the train toilet and sends an SMS & web based signal to the nominated person based on which the OBHS staff will attend the specific toilet immediately.

It is an loT based electronic device that monitors and detects malodour, Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC), temperature and humidity. If any of the parameters cross threshold values, alerts are sent on mobile and web apps and provide certain safety & solution tips, prompting them to take needed action to keep toilets clean and free from malodour.

Gandhvedh device has following sensors:

•           The odour sensors used in the device detect Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulphide, Methane, Trimethyl Amine, Methyl Mercaptan, Ethanol etc.

•           Another sensor detects Total Volatile organic compound which are equally harmful to human health.

•           The device also has sensor to detect excessive quantity of chemicals in disinfectant and air fresheners which are harmful to human health.

•           Temperature and humidity plays an important role in growth of the bacteria. It is essential to detect temperature and humidity in the toilet. ‘Gandhvedh’ device will also monitor these parameters.

After the successful field trial, the system will be gradually adopted over the ER for automatic hygiene monitoring of the train toilets.

**********************

SSS/28.5.24/

(Release ID: 2022023) Visitor Counter : 407