‘Smart Trains, Smarter Cleaning:’ Gujarat’s First Amrit Bharat Express Washed By Drones, Internet Asks ‘Runs On Time Too?’

Indian Railways is now combining infrastructure upgrades with homegrown drone innovation. In a significant step towards railway modernisation, the railways are now planning to include high-pressure drones for washing and maintenance of coaches. Gujarat’s first Udhna-Brahmapur Amrit Bharat Express has become the latest train to undergo a trial for the high-pressure cleaning. Instead of the traditional manual methods, the train was entirely washed using drones.

The trial, conducted at Surat and Udhna railway stations, showcased a specially developed drone system capable of washing 25 coaches in just 30 minutes. The flying drone was taken up to the height of the coach and spray-washed at high pressure. This has drastically cut down the usual 2.5

to 3 hour manual cleaning process.

What Else Can The Drone Do?

The custom-built drone can reach the height of the coach and spray water at high pressure, offering a quicker, more efficient, and less labour-intensive cleaning method. Beyond trains, the drone is also suitable for cleaning elevated and hard-to-reach structures like roofing sheets and station infrastructure, adding to its utility.

Smart trains, Smarter cleaning✨
Drone-powered cleaning gives Amrit Bharat Express a pristine shine.#SpecialCampaign5.0 #SCDPM5_0 pic.twitter.com/GPmXqPjVAp

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) October 5, 2025

Who Built The Drone, And What’s The Cost?

According to railway officials, the drone technology was developed by two young innovators from Surat. The estimated cost of the system comes to just Rs 3–4 lakh.

Railway officials were present during the trial and were reportedly impressed by the results. They have forwarded a proposal to the Railway Board for official approval. If approved, drones could soon become a regular part of the Indian Railways’ maintenance fleet, especially for express and long-haul trains.

Social Media Reactions

A user asked, “What is smart about this train? Does it run on time? Yesterday I missed a connecting train due to being 2 hrs late on the first train. Try solving these firsts.”

Another said, “Till the time trains don’t run on time and efficiently without any accidents, all this symbolic work has no relevance.”

“Need to do something about the toilets on trains and at railway platforms. They definitely deserve more attention,” someone suggested.

Drone Cleaning In Assam

This isn’t the first time drones have taken up cleaning duties on Indian tracks. Back in May 2025, a similar drone-based cleaning method was trialed at a train parked at the Kamakhya Railway Station in Assam.

When all passengers disembark from a train, it is cleaned manually by a few cleaning workers for the next journey. But if this technology is adopted widely, it could revolutionise how Indian Railways approaches cleanliness and maintenance across its network.