CAG Flags E. Coli Bacteria in Drinking Water at Railway Stations, Cites Violation of Railway Board Norms
The audit found 458 of 512 stations lacked minimum amenities and detected Total coliforms, including E. coli, in water samples.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General report exposed E-coli bacteria in drinking water at several Indian Railways stations, raising significant public health concerns alongside widespread deficiencies in essential passenger amenities.
- In April 2018, the Railway Board issued instructions mandating Minimum Essential Amenities at all stations by August 31, 2018, prompting the CAG audit to assess whether Indian Railways' efforts yielded intended benefits.
- A significant 89% of 512 inspected non-suburban stations were deficient in MEA, with shortfalls including 2,035 water taps, 403 urinals, and 201 latrines across NSG-1 category terminals.
- Water samples at stations including Coimbatore, Kalyan, and New Delhi tested positive for E-coli, which can cause food poisoning, diarrhoea, and kidney failure.
- The CAG urged Indian Railways to ensure compliance with the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol across its 5,908 stations serving 292.4 crore non-suburban passengers annually.
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E. coli found in water coolers at Mumbai, Hyderabad, 6 other train stations
Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered immediate corrective steps after a CAG audit found contaminated station water and major amenity gaps. The report has led to a 20,000-point filtration and monitoring overhaul across the railway network.
Railway Ministry Orders Immediate Measures to Ensure Safe Drinking Water Across Network
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Following the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report on drinking water quality, a whole-day review was conducted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chairman, Railway Board (CRB) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other senior officials, following which immediate corrective measures were ordered to ensure safe drinking water across the railway network. India News | Railway…
It is not always possible to buy mineral water on the way to and from the railway station. Even if you carry water from home, many times people fill it up at the station. But this time, concerns have come to the fore regarding the tap water at railway stations. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) of the central government has raised concerns about the drinking water at railway stations. It has been said that although…
Beware! Drinking water at railway stations can make you sick
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed the presence of E.coli bacteria in drinking water samples from water coolers at several Indian railway stations. The audit also highlighted unhygienic conditions in railway washrooms and significant deficiencies in Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) across 458 out of 512 non-suburban stations inspected.
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