India’s powerful 12,000-horsepower electric locomotives could soon offer a much-needed facility for train drivers: waterless urinals. The proposal is focused on addressing one of the longstanding challenges faced by loco pilots, particularly as more women join the profession. Madhepura Electric Locomotive Private Limited (MELPL), a collaborative venture between Indian Railways and French company Alstom, has already developed a prototype by retrofitting a waterless urinal into one of its locomotives. Scroll down to know more about it.
Indian Railways To Install Waterless Urinals In 12,000 HP Locomotives
The system has been operational for around four months and is reportedly performing well. Vivek Garg, Managing Director of MELPL, told The Indian Express that talks with Indian Railways are at an advanced stage to install waterless urinals into all new locomotives being manufactured at the Madhepura facility. Existing locomotives could also be retrofitted with the system. Loco pilots currently do not have access to toilets or urinals inside locomotives, making long journeys particularly difficult. The issue has gained greater attention with the induction of women loco pilots into the Railways. According to Garg, the original specifications for the 12,000-HP locomotives included space for such a facility but did not require a waterless urinal to be installed.
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However, incorporating one into a moving locomotive comes with its own safety considerations. Unlike aircraft, where passengers can use onboard toilets while flying, train drivers cannot simply leave their controls while the locomotive is in full motion. The proposed system would therefore need to be used when the locomotive is stationary.
All About India’s Most Powerful Freight Locomotives
Developed at the Madhepura facility in Bihar, the 12,000-HP electric locomotives are specifically designed to haul heavy freight on dedicated freight corridors. They have a design speed of 120 kmph and can carry loads of up to 6,000 tonnes.
MELPL supplied its 650th locomotive to Indian Railways on August 15. The first locomotive from the facility entered service from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction on May 18, 2020. The company was awarded a contract in 2015 to manufacture and supply 800 locomotives by March 2028. The project, initially valued at ₹28,000 crore, was later revised to more than ₹33,000 crore.
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India became the sixth country in the world to manufacture 12,000-HP electric locomotives through the project. The Railways is also gradually introducing urinals across its electric locomotive fleet. According to the Railways, as of February 2026, more than 2,800 locomotives had been equipped with urinals.
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FAQs
How many locomotives does Indian Railways have?
Indian Railways has a total active fleet of more than 17,700 locomotives.
Who makes locomotives for Indian Railways?
Indian Railways manufactures locomotives through a combination of state-owned public sector production units and private international joint-venture manufacturing facilities located across India.
What is the biggest locomotive in India?
The biggest and most powerful locomotive in India is the Indian locomotive class WAG-12B, a twin-section electric beast boasting an incredible 12,000 horsepower.