India’s Central Railway has introduced the first-ever onboard ATM on the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express to improve passenger convenience. If successful, similar facilities may be introduced on other trains.
In a groundbreaking move for Indian Railways, Central Railway has introduced the first-ever onboard automated teller machine (ATM) aboard the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express. This initiative aims to improve passenger convenience by offering banking facilities during their journey, with the trial currently being run on an air-conditioned coach.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the news on his official X account on April 16, 2025, posting a video of a passenger showcasing the ATM, which is said to be a Bank of Maharashtra machine. The installation, located in a designated cubicle at the rear end of the coach, is part of a trial to assess the feasibility of having ATMs on trains.
The ATM has been installed as part of a pilot project on the Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express, one of the busiest routes in Maharashtra. The express train runs daily between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai and Manmad Junction in Nashik district. The train covers the journey in approximately four hours and 35 minutes and is widely preferred for its convenience.
Central Railway officials confirmed that the ATM has been placed inside an air-conditioned chair car coach. Safety features, such as a shutter door, have been installed to ensure secure access to the ATM while the train is in motion. This space was previously used as a temporary pantry.
If successful, this pilot project will open doors for the introduction of similar ATMs on other popular trains, enhancing the convenience for passengers across the country.”
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway
The ATM’s installation follows necessary structural modifications at the Manmad Railway Workshop to accommodate the machine. Railway officials are optimistic about the potential for expanding this concept if the trial proves successful.
This innovative step could be a precursor to more banking solutions onboard Indian trains, improving the overall travel experience for millions of passengers across the country.
