Immediate Measures for Safe Drinking Water in Railways

Following concerns raised in the CAG report over the quality of drinking water provided to railway passengers, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw held a detailed review meeting with senior railway officials. He directed authorities to take immediate steps to ensure safe drinking water across the railway network. The Railways plans to introduce ‘Tank to Tap’ water filtration systems at around 20,000 locations nationwide, including water coolers and dedicated drinking water points, along with improved water purification and quality monitoring mechanisms.

The Railways will inspect existing water storage tanks at stations and other locations and replace them wherever necessary. Water quality will be tested regularly both at the source and at passenger outlets, with test results monitored through a centralised system. Cleaning and maintenance of storage tanks will also be carried out according to a fixed schedule. The Railway Board will directly monitor the progress of the initiative, with the department stressing transparency and accountability in ensuring safe drinking water for passengers.