Centre orders corrective measures after CAG flags unsafe drinking water at railway stations

The Railway Ministry has announced corrective measures following a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report identifying unsafe drinking water at railway stations. After a comprehensive review by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and senior officials, the ministry has directed the installation of advanced filtration systems at 20,000 locations across the railway network.

This includes water coolers, a thorough filtration and monitoring system, replacement of existing water tanks, and stringent adherence to water testing protocols.

The CAG's findings revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria in drinking water samples from coolers at various railway stations, posing health risks such as food poisoning, diarrhoea, and kidney failure. The audit examined 512 non-suburban grade stations across all railway zones and discovered that over 89% of these stations failed to meet Minimum Essential Amenities standards.

The ministry emphasized this as a top priority, with progress and water quality reports to be published regularly for transparency. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address all CAG observations and enhance the overall travel experience.