Railway stations face drinking water safety concerns after CAG report
Total Views |
New Delhi, August 18: Following a review of the CAG findings, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to take corrective measures to improve drinking water quality at stations.
As part of the proposed measures, Indian Railways plans to introduce a ‘Tank To Tap’ water filtration system at around 20,000 locations, including water coolers across the railway network. The system is intended to improve filtration, monitoring and the quality of water supplied to passengers and railway staff.
Railway authorities have also been directed to strengthen compliance with drinking water standards and address deficiencies in water storage, filtration and supply.
The planned upgrades aim to make drinking water facilities safer and more reliable for millions of passengers who depend on railway stations every day.
If you regularly refill your water bottle at railway stations, a recent CAG report raises an important concern. An audit of passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations found gaps in drinking water quality, with E. coli detected in samples from eight railway stations.
According to the report, E. coli was found in water cooler samples collected from Coimbatore, Palakkad Junction, Hyderabad, CSMT, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan, Lonavala and Madhupur across four railway zones. The presence of E. coli can indicate faecal contamination and may suggest that the water is unsafe for consumption.
The CAG also observed bacterial contamination in water supplied through taps on railway platforms. Samples collected during 2022-23 and 2023-24 showed the presence of total coliform bacteria, while bacteriological testing beyond basic coliform checks was found to be inadequate at several stations.
ALSO READ: From imports to exports: India's electronics industry enters a new phase
FAQs
What did the CAG find?
E. coli and other bacterial contamination were detected in water samples at several stations.
Which stations were affected?
What is being done?