While people are still debating if we need to learn to live our lives at a new-normal, which means living with a new set of safety measures, here is an exceptional example of a co-op bank committing itself to the idea of a new-age safety tool- “disinfection tunnel”.
Maharashtra based Kallappanna Awade Ichalkaranji Janata Sahakari (Kaijs) Bank in association with Sanmati Sahakari Bank has installed a ‘disinfection tunnel’ at Janata Bank Chowk, Ichalkaranji to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
There are extensive debates that the life post Corona would be different as was the case with the US after 9/11 where security checks became a part of American life. Similarly, it is being said that we would be needing disinfection tunnels everywhere from schools, colleges, govt and private offices to housing societies. It is heartening to note that the Kaijs Bank is one of the first to do so.
Perhaps, this is the first urban cooperative bank that has developed this ‘disinfection tunnel’ setting an example for other cooperative banks to replicate the model in order to help the public in the current situation.
The cost of this disinfection tunnel is approximately Rs 75,000 and it took 3-4 days to set up the tunnel. The tunnel can provide a 24-hour service.
Sharing the details with Indian Cooperative, the Kaijs bank, Vice-Chairman, Chandrakant Chougule said, “Kallappanna Awade Ichalkaranji Janata Sahakari Bank and the Sanmati Sahakari Bank have jointly developed the disinfection tunnel and it is now open for the public.
A 500 liter tank has been installed at this tunnel. It will contain a sterile solution. It will be sprayed on the limbs of those passing through the tunnel. This will ensure that such people will not get coronary infection”, he added.
“The initiative has been launched for the first time in Ichalkaranji, an industrial city with a population of four lakhs. In Ichalkaranji, the vegetable market is being set up at five places and there is a plan to build such a tunnel in all those places”, he underlined.
He further said, “Currently, this initiative has been started as an experiment. But its scope will be increased. It has been said that this tunnel was made in a scientifically perfect form. People go out to buy essential commodities like milk, medicine, vegetables. During this rush, an innovative venture has been launched in Ichalkaranji to prevent people from coming in contact with each other”, he asserted.
Chougule said, “Sodium hypochlorite or scientifically sterile disinfectant mixed with water will be used for this. Experts from Tirupur, including chemical engineers Suresh Patil, Jaideep Moghe have been hired”.