An ‘Automatic Coach Washing Plant’. According to NFR, the process is eco-friendly, fast and would very useful post COVID-19 pandemic scenario. (Photo Courtesy: NFR CPRO)
Guwahati, July 28 (MExN): As a part of the initiative by the Indian Railways to promote water conservation by minimising use of water, Automatic Coach Washing Plants (ACWPs) are being installed in various pit lines and depots in the NFR areas, an official release informed today.
Installations of such eco-friendly ACWPs are in progress in various locations like Katihar, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri(DEMU), Alipurduar, Naharlagun, Dibrugarh, Silchar and Agartala, said the release issued by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer, Subhanan Chanda.
Once completed, the reduction of water consumption would range from 10000 to 6000 litre per train rake, it said, adding that “75% to 80% of water used can also be recycled for further use.”
The ACWP is a multistage external cleaning system for coaches/trains, by using high pressure water jet, horizontal and vertical rotating nylon combination brushes, the release said.
“It completes exterior cleaning of the coaches in a rake while being placed in the pit line for maintenance,” it added.
Highlighting some of the advantages of the system, the NFR said that it is “Eco-friendly because” as it consumes less water, less electricity and less chemical (soap) for cleaning.
The cleaning also involves minimal electrical energy, workforce and maintenance while ensuring quick cleaning of rakes.
“A full train rake consisting 24 coaches can be completed within a time period of 10 – 15 minutes while the train is placed for maintenance checking at pit line,” the release informed.
The ACWP is also capable of cleaning and disinfecting the area of a coach below the toilet which otherwise not cleaned manually, it said.
Moreover, water used for cleaning can be re-used by re-cycling through “Effluent Treatment Plant,” it added.
Apart from being eco-friendly, automatic cleaning and disinfection of coaches with minimum human interface would be very useful post COVID pandemic scenario, the release said.
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