The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit flags problems with bacteriological water quality at multiple railway stations, including the presence or detection concerns related to E. coli. The findings relate to drinking water testing at stations across different zones.
According to the audit results reported, tests for bacteriological parameters other than total coliforms are unsatisfactory at eight stations across four zones during 2022–23. In the following period, 2023–24, unsatisfactory results are reported at 11 stations across five zones. The coverage indicates that the issue persists and expands across more zones and stations over time.
While the reporting focuses on the CAG’s flagged lapses, outlets also differ in emphasis around which specific tests are highlighted and the time windows covered. The consistent core point across the reports is that the audit identifies shortcomings in drinking water quality testing outcomes linked to bacteriological safety at railway stations.
