{
  "id": 5532056,
  "title": "Indian Railways plans to improve onboard waste management on trains – here’s how",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/indian-railways-plans-to-improve-onboard-waste-management-on-trains",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T09:57:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-railways-improve-onboard-waste-management-trains-how-10863035/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian Railways is developing an enhanced onboard waste management system to tackle the issue of overflowing dustbins and waste accumulation on trains, particularly during lengthy journeys. The innovative system, created by the Wagon Repair Workshop in Jhansi, is designed to significantly boost waste-holding capacity and minimize the need for frequent bin handling.\n\nThe existing garbage disposal setup in long-distance coaches features two standard bins with a capacity of 15-20 liters each. However, this configuration can prove insufficient during extended trips, leading to overflowing bins, litter inside the coaches, and waste being discarded onto railway tracks.\n\nThe proposed system comprises three main elements: a garbage drop box, a connector, and an undergear garbage collector. Passengers will dispose of waste using the drop box installed on the coach floor. The waste is then channeled through the connector, positioned between the cabin floor and the undergear structure, into a high-capacity collector mounted underneath the coach. This gravity-fed mechanism ensures waste moves downward without additional handling during the journey.\n\nOne of the key advantages of the new system is its increased holding capacity. The modified garbage collector boasts a capacity of 367.4 liters, compared to approximately 18 liters in the current setup. This larger capacity is intended to handle continuous waste generation during a journey, thereby reducing instances of garbage overflowing from conventional bins.\n\nThe system utilizes stainless steel construction, providing corrosion resistance, structural strength, and a longer service life. The undergear collector features a specialized 3:10 taper for easier removal and emptying, while the garbage drop box and collector can be cleaned independently from both sides. This design aims to facilitate sanitation, odor control, and reduce the chances of waste being thrown onto railway tracks. The Jhansi workshop considers the proposed system a practical, economical, and sustainable approach to improving onboard waste management and maintaining cleaner coaches.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Indian Railways extends 3 train services,10 get new stops: Check routes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/indian-railways-extends-3-train-services-10-get-new-stops-check-routes",
        "published": "2026-09-04T08:20:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Railways develops waste collection system",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/railways-develops-waste-collection-system",
        "published": "2026-09-04T09:55:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}