A Revolutionary Step Towards Smarter, Safer, and Cleaner Rail Travel
In a landmark initiative to enhance hygiene and safety, Indian Railways has started using drones to clean train coaches and station premises an advanced step that reflects the country’s growing embrace of smart technology. The project began in April 2025 at Assam’s Kamakhya Railway Station, aiming to clean hard-to-reach areas on trains and platforms.
Why Drones? The Need for Innovation in Railway Sanitation
Traditional cleaning methods in the Indian Railways system often required manual labor, involving health risks and limitations in accessing narrow or elevated areas. Drones, equipped with high-pressure water nozzles, have now been introduced to solve this problem effectively.
According to the Ministry of Railways, these drones can precisely clean areas of train coaches and station infrastructure that were previously difficult or unsafe to reach.
“They reach tough spots on coaches and station structures. A smart leap toward hygienic & cleaner Railways!” the ministry posted on X (formerly Twitter).
First Phase: Kamakhya Railway Station Sets the Example
The first rollout of this drone cleaning initiative was conducted at Kamakhya Railway Station in Assam. Drones were seen actively cleaning train coaches and platform structures, marking a significant technological upgrade in the maintenance and cleanliness of public transport spaces.
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh also shared a video on social media, applauding the move:
“For a nation’s progress, modern and advanced machinery is essential.”
Built for Efficiency: How These Drones Work
The drones used by Indian Railways are not ordinary. Reports suggest that they are equipped with high-pressure water jets to dislodge dirt and grime, especially from crevices and elevated surfaces. This not only improves cleanliness but also reduces the dependency on manual labor, ensuring greater safety and consistency in operations.
A Broader Vision: Drones Beyond Cleaning
This isn’t the first time Indian Railways has experimented with drone technology. In 2018, drones were introduced for infrastructure monitoring and safety audits. Later, in 2020, the Ministry of Railways launched ‘Ninja Unmanned Aerial Vehicles’ for real-time tracking, video surveillance, and automatic safety fallback.
With cleaning drones now in the mix, the Railways is expanding its drone applications to cover maintenance, security, and hygiene, paving the way for a smarter future.
What’s The Next?
While the Kamakhya trial marks the beginning, the Railways plans to expand this initiative nationwide. With thousands of stations and lakhs of coaches, drone-based cleaning can revolutionize sanitation standards across the country.
Conclusion
Indian Railways’ drone-cleaning initiative is a bold and futuristic step that not only modernizes traditional maintenance practices but also enhances safety, hygiene, and efficiency. As the program expands, passengers can look forward to cleaner, safer, and smarter travel experiences on the Indian rail network.
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