IIT Kharagpur builds disinfection tunnel for campus visitors

IIT Kharagpur has set up a disinfection tunnel for sanitizing visitors to the campus. The tunnel has been installed at the sole entry point of the campus for essential services staff such those involved in cleaning operations.

The tunnel was developed by Prof Mihir Sarangi, Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering, along with faculty and staff members from various departments. While a visitor passes through the tunnel, he is sprayed with a disinfectant solution coming out of a high pressure air compressor. With proper implementation such sanitizers can disinfect articles of clothing and shoes for a period of about 10 minutes

Prof. Mihir Sarangi, Associate Professor Mechanical Engineering said, “The output material is like mist and highly effective as it covers a larger surface area unlike liquid disinfectant. Also, it does not need any drainage”

The commercial model for the product has been estimated to be available for Rs 4 Lakh. IIT KGP Director Prof Virendra K Tewari said such technologies can be quickly built and employed at any location. He also said that more such innovations are underway.