Indian Railways orders immediate steps to improve drinking water safety at railway stations after a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit raises concerns about contamination and amenities. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directs a “Tank to Tap” filtration and monitoring overhaul to address gaps at passenger facilities, including stations.
The CAG audit reports E. coli contamination in water samples at eight railway stations and notes major amenity shortcomings. In response, officials plan water filtration and enhanced testing at both the source and outlet points, alongside cleaning and maintenance of storage tanks and replacement of old or contaminated tanks. Outlets also report the programme covers roughly 20,000 locations across the network, including installations such as water coolers. Railway Board-level monitoring and periodic reporting are meant to track implementation and water quality improvements, while the exact rollout priorities and timelines are to be set by railway authorities.
