In a major step towards sustainable railway operations, Indian Railways is set to commence trial runs of an Automatic Train Washing Plant (ATWP) at Subedarganj station, Prayagraj, with full-scale operations planned for September.
Equipped with high-pressure water jets, rotating brushes, automated sensors, and eco-friendly cleaning agents, the facility can wash and dry an entire train in 10-15 minutes, significantly cutting down turnaround time compared to manual cleaning.
The ATWP is designed to reduce water consumption from 5,000–6,000 litres per train to just 3,000-4,000 litres, saving an estimated 50,000-60,000 litres daily. A multi-stage water recycling system, including sand, carbon, and membrane filtration, will ensure treated water is reused — aligning with Indian Railways’ green mission.
Officials say this initiative will not only enhance operational efficiency and hygiene standards but also reduce manual dependency in exterior train cleaning. If successful, similar plants could be installed at other high-traffic stations across India.
