📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Adityamadhav83
Technology
12,000‑hp Indian electric locomotives to be fitted with waterless urinals for drivers
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 25 Aug 2026, 02:03 AM
👁 2
India’s most powerful 12,000‑horsepower electric locomotives will soon be equipped with waterless urinals, improving hygiene and convenience for loco pilots, officials said.
Railway officials announced that the nation’s top‑power 12,000‑horsepower electric locomotives will be upgraded with waterless urinal units for the loco pilots who operate them. The move targets the fleet of high‑capacity locomotives that haul heavy freight across the country.
The waterless urinal system uses a specially designed trap and a sealing gel to dispose of waste without the need for a water supply, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that must be stored on board. This technology also minimizes the need for regular cleaning and waste‑water disposal at stations.
By eliminating the requirement for a water tank, the new fittings free up valuable space and lower the overall weight of the locomotive, contributing to marginal fuel‑efficiency gains. The upgrade aligns with Indian Railways’ broader push toward modernising its rolling stock and enhancing crew comfort.
Implementation will be carried out during scheduled maintenance cycles, ensuring that the locomotives remain operational while the urinals are installed. The railway authority expects the change to set a new standard for driver amenities on high‑power electric engines.
The waterless urinal system uses a specially designed trap and a sealing gel to dispose of waste without the need for a water supply, thereby reducing the amount of liquid that must be stored on board. This technology also minimizes the need for regular cleaning and waste‑water disposal at stations.
By eliminating the requirement for a water tank, the new fittings free up valuable space and lower the overall weight of the locomotive, contributing to marginal fuel‑efficiency gains. The upgrade aligns with Indian Railways’ broader push toward modernising its rolling stock and enhancing crew comfort.
Implementation will be carried out during scheduled maintenance cycles, ensuring that the locomotives remain operational while the urinals are installed. The railway authority expects the change to set a new standard for driver amenities on high‑power electric engines.