The Ministry of Railways on Friday, 17 April, said that the Kankaria Coaching Depot in Ahmedabad has become India’s first ‘water neutral’ railway depot, achieving daily savings of around 1.60 lakh litres of water through advanced wastewater treatment and reuse systems.
“In a significant step towards environmental sustainability, the Kankaria Coaching Depot has emerged as a ‘water neutral’ Railway depot, showcasing how innovative practices can transform traditional railway operations into eco-friendly models. The initiative highlights a major breakthrough in water conservation, with the depot saving nearly 1.60 lakh litres of water – equivalent to over 300 household tanks – every day through advanced treatment and reuse systems,” the ministry said.
The initiative is based on phytoremediation, a natural purification process that uses plants to remove impurities from wastewater.
The depot treats and reuses water generated from routine operations such as coach washing and maintenance using this technology, significantly reducing its dependence on freshwater sources.
According to the ministry, the treatment system follows a multi-stage process combining wetland-based natural filtration with technical methods.
In the final stages, treated water undergoes carbon and sand filtration along with ultraviolet disinfection to ensure it is safe for reuse in railway operations.
The daily savings translate into an annual conservation of approximately 5.84 crore litres of water, positioning the depot as a model for efficient water management within Indian Railways.
The ministry noted that the project also reduces water consumption costs while adhering to environmental standards.
The development reflects a broader push towards sustainable and environmentally responsible railway operations, with the Kankaria depot demonstrating how traditional infrastructure can be adapted using eco-friendly technologies to improve resource efficiency.
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