Three students from Kerala have tackled hygiene woes faced by India’s long-distance train travelers. Mizhab K,Muhammed Nihad,and Abhishek Roopesh, all studying at University of Delhi,know the 46-hour Kerala-to-Delhi train grind too well.
Fed up with grimy train bathrooms,they dug deeper into the problem. Their chats highlighted widespread traveler frustration over washroom cleanliness and personal hygiene. So,they launched a startup called Travel Essentia, later joined by Suhail V,to tackle this.
Now,they’ve rolled out a rail hygiene kit tailored for long trips. It packs 10 essentials: toothbrush,toothpaste,wet wipes,towels,paper soap,sanitiser sachets,toilet seat covers,cutlery set,face mask,and a cotton pouch. The kit comes in a box doubling as a Ludo or Snake and Ladder game board — a playful touch.
Mizhab explained,"We started by listing what’s often forgotten when packing for long train rides . Essentials like toothpaste and toothbrush often slip our minds." Many travelers,he said,complain about washroom hygiene,leading to the inclusion of toilet covers,wet wipes,and sanitizers.
Each kit costs ₹149 and features single-use items like toothpaste tablets and paper soap strips,easy to stash and carry. Travel Essentia, based in Gurugram,has a small team of 10,with warehouses in Gurugram and Kozhikode. kit launched officially at Kozhikode railway station on April 16.
Feedback’s been positive since launch,with customers across India buying online. Mizhab says travelers plan long trips in advance,so they can order kits ahead. But they're looking to sell directly at train stations too.
Looking forward, Mizhab hopes to work with the government for wider reach. Kits may soon be on Vande Bharat Express between Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram next month. They’re also eyeing other trains like Rajdhani Express and Mangala Lakshadweep Superfast Express.
Beyond rail kits,Travel Essentia is eyeing road travel products for long bus trips. Mizhab notes some users want sanitary pads included in future kits. Kits can be bought at www.travelessentia.com.
