E. coli found in station drinking water; Railways orders filtration systems at 20,000 locations

India's Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised concerns over the quality of drinking water at railway stations, citing the presence of E. coli bacteria. The issue was brought to light when the CAG pointed out that total coliform bacteria, including E. coli, were detected during testing at 49 stations in eight zones in 2022-23 and at 56 stations in nine zones in 2023-24.

Responding to these findings, the Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has directed immediate corrective measures, including the installation of new water filtration systems at approximately 20,000 locations across the railway network, such as water coolers. Regular water testing will be conducted at source and outlet points, with monitoring to be carried out at the board level. Scheduled cleaning and maintenance of storage tanks are also part of the plan to ensure transparency in water quality management.

The CAG's report, titled 'Passenger Amenities and Sanitation at Non-Suburban Railway Stations in Indian Railways', reveals that outdated sanitation infrastructure and deficiencies in essential amenities contribute to the problem. Out of 512 inspected stations, more than 89% were found lacking in at least one Minimum Essential Amenities (MEAs), such as drinking water, seating, toilets, platform shelters, fans, water coolers, and signage.

Despite significant expenditure on station cleaning activities, deficiencies persist, including non-functional toilets and unhygienic conditions. Additionally, passenger grievance data indicates a rise in complaints regarding cleanliness, water availability, medical assistance, and electrical facilities, alongside a high rate of dissatisfaction with complaint resolution.