East Coast Railway to roll out AI-monitored cleaning reform on six key trains

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) is set to lead a major shift in passenger hygiene as six of its most prominent long-distance services, including the Bhubaneswar-Bengaluru Prashanti Express, have been selected for a new national reform. 

Titled ‘Better Onboard Services’, the initiative was unveiled by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday as the inaugural step in a comprehensive ‘52 Reforms in 52 Weeks’ roadmap for 2026, as reported by The Times of India.

The project aims to modernise train maintenance by moving away from traditional cleaning methods. In the first phase, 80 high-footfall trains across the country have been identified for implementation over the coming six months, to cover all Indian Railways services within three years.

End-To-End Continuous Maintenance

A fundamental change introduced by this reform is the replacement of station-based cleaning with a continuous cleaning model. Unlike the previous system, which relied on cleaning at specific major halts, professional teams will now remain onboard throughout the journey—from the point of origin to the final destination.

Significantly, the reform fully integrates general (unreserved) coaches into the professional cleaning schedule for the first time. Cleaning teams, previously focused on reserved compartments, will now be mandated to enter general coaches at designated stations to ensure that hygiene standards are uniform across all classes of travel.

Integrated Repairs 

The onboard teams are being structured as multi-tasking units. Beyond sanitation, they are tasked with addressing minor electrical and mechanical defects, such as lighting failures or water supply issues, as they arise. This proactive approach includes regular toilet hygiene checks, garbage disposal, and washbasin cleaning at short intervals throughout the trip.

To maintain high standards, the Ministry is employing technology-driven monitoring. Control centres will use AI-generated images to assess cleanliness in real-time. This AI-based verification system will allow officials to monitor compliance and take immediate action or impose penalties in cases of service lapses.

The Minister’s Perspective

Explaining the vision behind the initiative, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated:

"As per the 'Clean Train Station' concept, the train will be cleaned continuously from its origin until its destination. Toilets, garbage bins, water availability, and the immediate repair of mechanical defects will be addressed to ensure a good environment for the passengers. The reform was built specifically with this concept in mind."

Professional service providers are being engaged under strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure accountability. These agreements specify cleaning frequencies that adjust for peak and non-peak hours, ensuring that the highest standards are maintained when passenger volume is at its greatest.