As reported by The Indian Express, Indian Railways is moving towards installing waterless urinals in its powerful 12,000-horsepower electric locomotives, addressing a long-standing operational challenge faced by loco pilots who currently have limited access to toilet facilities while on duty
Prototype Already in Operation
Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a joint venture between Indian Railways and French company Alstom, has already tested a retrofitted waterless urinal in a prototype locomotive, which has been operating for around four months
New Locomotives to Get Built In Urinals
According to the report, discussions between MELPL and Indian Railways are at an advanced stage to incorporate waterless urinals into all new locomotives being manufactured at the Madhepura facility
The new locomotives will have the urinals integrated during manufacturing, while those already supplied to the Railways are expected to be retrofitted
Important for Women Loco Pilots
The move is particularly significant as Indian Railways continues to induct more women as loco pilots, making access to basic sanitation facilities an increasingly important workplace requirement
Safety and Design Challenges
Officials said integrating a waterless urinal into a moving locomotive involves specific safety considerations. Unlike aircraft, loco pilots cannot simply leave their operating position while the train is moving, so the facility would primarily be used when the locomotive is stationary
The design also requires changes related to water supply and other locomotive systems as the technology continues to evolve
12000 HP Locomotives Power Freight Operations
The Madhepura facility manufactures 12,000 HP electric locomotives designed to transport heavy freight on dedicated freight corridors. The locomotives have a design speed of 120 kmph and can haul up to 6,000 tonnes of freight
MELPL supplied its 650th locomotive to Indian Railways on August 15, 2026. The company was awarded a contract in 2015 to manufacture and supply 800 locomotives by March 2028
Railways Expands Urinal Access
The waterless urinal initiative is part of a wider effort by Indian Railways to introduce such facilities across electric locomotives in phases, depending on technical feasibility. According to the Railways, more than 2,800 locomotives had been equipped with urinals as of February 2026.
