North Western Railway inaugurates its first water recycling plant at Barmer railway station

JAISALMER: In a significant step towards water conservation and sustainable resource management, North Western Railway (NWR) on Thursday inaugurated its first Water Recycling Plant at Barmer Railway Station.

The facility was formally inaugurated by North Western Railway general manager Amitabh during his one-day visit to Barmer.

Speaking on the occasion, the general manager said that considering the utility and success of the project, proposals would be prepared to establish similar water recycling plants in other divisions of North Western Railway in the future.

The newly commissioned plant has been constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 2.57 crore and is located in the station’s washing line area. The facility is designed to recycle water used in the washing of railway linen, including bedsheets, pillow covers, towels, and other onboard textiles.

Instead of being discharged as wastewater, the used water will now be treated and reused for subsequent washing operations, significantly reducing freshwater consumption.

GM Amitabh described the project as an important initiative in the direction of water conservation and sustainable development. He emphasized that the recycling plant would help save a substantial quantity of water, particularly in western Rajasthan, a region that frequently faces water scarcity and drought-like conditions.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Jodhpur divisional railway manager Anurag Tripathi, senior divisional commercial manager Hitesh Yadav, senior divisional mechanical engineer Amit Swami, and several other railway officials.

Amit Swami welcomed the general manager with a traditional Rajasthani turban and a ceremonial plant.

Following the inauguration, the general manager inspected the ongoing redevelopment works at Barmer Railway Station and reviewed the progress of modernization projects.

He stressed the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and continuously improving passenger amenities at the station.

Railway officials explained that the Water Recycling Plant functions by collecting water used during the washing of railway linen and subjecting it to a multi-stage treatment process. The system first removes soap residue, dirt, and solid particles. The water then undergoes chemical and biological treatment, followed by filtration and disinfection. Once purified, the treated water is reused for washing operations, creating a sustainable cycle of water use.

Officials highlighted several benefits of the project, including significant water savings, reduced dependence on groundwater and other freshwater sources, lower wastewater pollution, and decreased operational costs for the Railways. The plant is expected to be especially beneficial in water-stressed regions such as western Rajasthan, where efficient water management is critical.

The commissioning of the Water Recycling Plant marks a milestone for North Western Railway’s environmental sustainability efforts and reflects the organization’s commitment to responsible resource utilization while supporting long-term water security in the region.