Indian Railways has begun using drones to clean trains and station premises—starting with Kamakhya Station in Assam. This initiative marks a significant shift in how India’s public transport systems are embracing smart, efficient and eco-friendly solutions in line with global urban sustainability benchmarks.
The new drone-based cleaning system is designed to address one of the longest-standing challenges in the Indian rail sector—deep cleaning of inaccessible areas in and around trains. Traditionally reliant on manual labour, railway cleaning has long been fraught with safety concerns, inefficiencies, and high water consumption. By introducing aerial robotic systems equipped with high-pressure water jets, Indian Railways aims to not only reduce the health risks for workers but also achieve greater speed and precision.Officials at the Ministry of Railways say the project, which launched at Kamakhya Station in April, is a leap towards hygienic, automated maintenance across the network. These drones are remotely operated by trained personnel and are capable of navigating difficult-to-reach sections of train coaches and structural zones within the station. Their deployment is being hailed as a “smart and sustainable upgrade” in India’s public infrastructure planning.
This innovation also underscores the government’s broader push towards low-carbon, tech-driven rail operations. Notably, Indian Railways has long explored drone technology for inspection and monitoring. As far back as 2018, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used to oversee railway lines, bridges, and remote installations. In 2020, the ‘Ninja UAVs’ initiative further expanded drone applications into surveillance and real-time asset monitoring.However, the Kamakhya pilot marks the first time drones are being integrated into regular cleaning and hygiene operations, potentially transforming India’s notoriously congested and often under-maintained railway stations. Visuals of the drones in action—circulating on social media and promoted by public figures—have already triggered a wave of positive public sentiment around modernisation in the sector.
In parallel, Indian Railways has invested in other technology-based cleanliness solutions. AI-enabled CCTV systems with facial recognition have been rolled out at major stations for better security and crowd management. Automatic coach washing plants, designed to consume less water while delivering deeper cleans, are also being deployed across urban centres to support India’s transition to net-zero emissions in the transport sector.While the drone-based cleaning is still in pilot mode, its success in Assam could set the stage for wider adoption across India’s vast railway network. As climate-resilient and health-conscious urban planning becomes a national priority, such smart technology upgrades are no longer optional—they are essential.
The Indian Railways’ shift reflects not only a technological transformation but also a social and environmental one, aimed at building a cleaner, more inclusive transport future for the country.
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