New Delhi, Sep 11 (PTI) The Railway Ministry has directed all its zones to provide an updated response to the findings of the CAG regarding the presence of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, in water coolers, as well as serious deficiencies in passenger amenities at several stations across the country.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audited 512 stations across all railway zones and flagged serious deficiencies in passenger amenities at 458 stations. The report was tabled in Parliament on August 12.
“…all Zonal Railways are requested to furnish updated para-wise comments/action taken status on the audit’s observations,” the ministry letter dated September 9 said, highlighting paragraph numbers.
“The requisite information may kindly be furnished to this office by September 11 positively,” it said while also providing an email address where a soft copy can be submitted. “This may be treated as urgent,” it said.
The audit report revealed significant deficiencies in one or more Minimum Essential Amenities (MEAs), including drinking water, seating, toilets, platform shelters, fans, water coolers and signage. It said that stations with high revenue and high footfall also exhibited significant shortfalls.
It reported the presence of total coliform bacteria (including E. coli) in drinking water from station water coolers, non-functional toilets and unhygienic conditions in toilets and urinals, among several others.
“There was a shortfall in testing of drinking water for residual chlorine, bacteriological analysis and chemical analysis. Low/high level of chlorine in drinking water, presence of total coliforms bacteria (including E-coli bacteria) as well as deficiencies in parameters tested indicated unsatisfactory quality of drinking water at stations,” the audit report said.
It added, “Test results of drinking water samples collected from taps in platforms at 49 stations in eight zones during 2022-23 and 56 stations in nine zones during 2023-24 indicated presence of total coliform bacteria (including E. coli).” It also stated that bacteriological tests (other than total coliform) were unsatisfactory at eight stations in four zones during 2022-23 and 11 stations in five zones during 2023-24.
The report prompted the Railway Ministry to launch a special cleanliness drive across the railway network focused on cleaning and disinfection of drinking-water tanks and filtration systems to ensure the continued availability of safe and clean drinking water for passengers at railway stations.
“The initiative is part of a broader action plan for strengthening drinking-water quality management across Indian Railways. The action plan emphasises frequent inspection and maintenance of the entire drinking-water system, along with water-quality testing at the source as well as at the point of consumption, rather than relying solely on end-of-pipe water testing,” the ministry said. PTI JP PRK
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