Indian Railways is working to solve the problem of water shortage in train coaches. The railway department will install IoT-based Water Level Indicator systems in 56,994 coaches. This technology will help the staff monitor water levels in real-time to ensure passengers do not face shortages during their journey.
ℹ: South Central Railway: Extension of two special trains between North and South India, check schedule।
How will this new water monitoring system work?
The system uses hydrostatic pressure sensors to check the exact amount of water in the tanks. It uses LoRa and GPRS technology for wireless data transmission. This means the water level data will be sent digitally to the monitoring team. The Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is setting the technical standards for these devices in LHB type coaches.
Which railway zones are implementing this project?
Multiple zones have already started the process through various tenders and pilot runs:
| Railway Zone | Update/Action |
|---|---|
| Eastern Railway | Tender published for LHB Non-AC coaches in June 2026 |
| Western Railway | Bids invited for coaches in Ratlam, MP |
| North Western Railway | Tenders issued for AC and Non-AC LHB coaches |
| West Central Railway | Sought bids for overhead tank indicators |
| Northeast Frontier Railway | Pilot project launched on Brahmaputra Mail Express |
What is the impact on passenger travel?
Previously, staff had to check water levels manually or rely on passenger complaints. With this IoT system, the railway can refill tanks before the water actually runs out. Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, mentioned that this real-time monitoring will make water management much more efficient across the network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the IoT Water Level Indicator?
It is a digital system using sensors and wireless technology to monitor water levels in train tanks in real-time.
Which train first tested this system?
The Northeast Frontier Railway launched a pilot project of this system on the Brahmaputra Mail Express on August 16, 2024.