Daijiworld Media Network – Guwahati

Guwahati, Apr 22: In a major step towards revolutionising railway cleanliness, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) conducted its first-ever drone-based cleaning operation at Kamakhya Railway Station on Tuesday, officials confirmed.

The pioneering initiative was aimed at addressing hard-to-reach areas within station premises and train coaches using drone technology. The demonstration focused on cleaning high-rise structures such as the exterior dome of Kamakhya station, rooftops, and outer sections of coaches at the coaching depot sick line and under-floor wheel lathe shed.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NFR, described the initiative as a leap towards smart, technology-driven maintenance solutions. “The use of drones for cleaning improves accessibility and precision, significantly reducing the dependency on manual labour in hazardous zones,” Sharma stated.

He added that the successful trial demonstrated the capability of drones to deliver efficient, precise cleaning in elevated or structurally complex areas—enhancing overall hygiene at railway facilities.

“The objective is to ensure enhanced cleanliness, hygiene, and operational efficiency across our network, aligning with Indian Railways’ vision of adopting international-standard smart practices,” Sharma said.

Officials believe this pilot project could soon pave the way for drone-based cleaning across other key stations and trains under the NFR zone, which covers the northeastern states, seven districts in West Bengal, and five in north Bihar.

The move further reinforces NFR’s commitment to sustainable innovation, aimed at creating a safer and cleaner travel environment for passengers and railway staff alike.