Mumbai: RTI Disclosures Expose Cost Disparity In Monsoon Track Dewatering Pumps Between Central And Western Railways; Officials Cite Difference In Capacity & Operational Hours
Mumbai, October 14, 2026: Disclosures obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act have uncovered a glaring expenditure disparity in monsoon rainwater removal pump contracts between Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR). Despite both railway zones operating within Mumbai's suburban network under identical diesel-supply arrangements, Central Railway spent more than 2.5 times as much…
In Mumbai during Monsoon 2026, a Right to Information (RTI) investigation revealed a significant disparity in the cost of rainwater removal pumps between Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR). Despite both railway zones operating in Mumbai's suburban network under the same diesel supply conditions, CR spent more than double the amount per pump compared to WR.
RTI data showed CR deployed 219 pumps for Rs 5.93 crore, or Rs 2.70 lakh per pump, while WR's 126 pumps cost Rs 1.34 crore, or Rs 1.06 lakh per pump. The difference in spending was nearly 155%, even though both railways procured diesel independently for their contractors. This cost divergence was only disclosed after WR's PIO resisted initial rejection and the first appellate authority directed the engineering department to release the figures.
No official explanation was provided for the wide variance in costs, prompting calls for a vigilance inquiry into CR's rate fixing, tendering, and contractual terms.
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