Railways to Strengthen Safe Drinking Water Systems
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Railways to Strengthen Safe Drinking Water Systems

Indian Railways (Railways) has launched measures to strengthen safe drinking water systems for passengers after an audit flagged deficiencies. Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairman and chief executive officer reviewed the issue and directed officials to undertake immediate corrective action. The move follows concerns raised in a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report about water quality at railway facilities.

The ministry will install tank-to-tap water filtration systems at around 20,000 locations across the network, including water coolers. An integrated system for water purification, supply and quality monitoring will be implemented to ensure consistent standards. Implementation will cover stations, trains where feasible and other passenger service points.

Old water storage tanks will be replaced where necessary and a dedicated schedule will be introduced for cleaning and maintenance. Regular quality tests will be conducted at water sources and at points where drinking water is supplied to passengers. The ministry has asked regional units to report compliance and remedial steps within specified timeframes.

The Railway Board will establish centralised monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with prescribed quality standards. The board will directly monitor progress of the measures and require periodic disclosure of water quality reports and implementation status to improve transparency. A nodal cell will track work and coordinate with state and zonal offices.

The initiative is intended to address deficiencies flagged by the CAG and to improve drinking water facilities and the travel experience for millions of passengers. Officials said the measures form part of a broader effort to upgrade passenger amenities and that progress will be reviewed regularly at senior levels. Transparency and routine testing are expected to form the backbone of sustained improvements.

Indian Railways (Railways) has launched measures to strengthen safe drinking water systems for passengers after an audit flagged deficiencies. Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairman and chief executive officer reviewed the issue and directed officials to undertake immediate corrective action. The move follows concerns raised in a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report about water quality at railway facilities. The ministry will install tank-to-tap water filtration systems at around 20,000 locations across the network, including water coolers. An integrated system for water purification, supply and quality monitoring will be implemented to ensure consistent standards. Implementation will cover stations, trains where feasible and other passenger service points. Old water storage tanks will be replaced where necessary and a dedicated schedule will be introduced for cleaning and maintenance. Regular quality tests will be conducted at water sources and at points where drinking water is supplied to passengers. The ministry has asked regional units to report compliance and remedial steps within specified timeframes. The Railway Board will establish centralised monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance with prescribed quality standards. The board will directly monitor progress of the measures and require periodic disclosure of water quality reports and implementation status to improve transparency. A nodal cell will track work and coordinate with state and zonal offices. The initiative is intended to address deficiencies flagged by the CAG and to improve drinking water facilities and the travel experience for millions of passengers. Officials said the measures form part of a broader effort to upgrade passenger amenities and that progress will be reviewed regularly at senior levels. Transparency and routine testing are expected to form the backbone of sustained improvements.

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