Railways launches drive to clean station drinking-water tanks after CAG flags lapses

NEW DELHI: Indian Railways has launched a special drive to clean and disinfect drinking-water tanks and filtration systems at stations across the country after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India flagged serious deficiencies, including harmful bacteria such as E. coli in water coolers at several 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 railway ministry said in a statement on Monday.

PTI was the first to report, on August 15, 2026, about the CAG audit of more than 512 stations, which revealed alarming issues regarding poor water quality and inadequate passenger amenities.

The very next day, on August 16, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a daylong review and ordered several corrective measures, including the installation of new water filtration systems, replacement of water tanks, and regular testing of water quality.

Vaishnaw also ordered the installation of a comprehensive water-filtration-and-monitoring system at approximately 20,000 points across the railway network.

Along with those measures, the ministry on Monday decided to undertake a comprehensive drive under which all 18 zones have been asked to undertake a detailed inspection of water sources, treatment and filtration plants, underground and overhead tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps and water-dispensing points.

"All drinking-water tanks will be drained, desludged, scrubbed and disinfected. Measures will also be taken to ensure tight covers and appropriate protection of vents and overflow points from birds, animals and algae," the press note said.

It added, "The drive will also identify deficiencies requiring corrective action. Damaged tanks, pipelines and filters will be repaired or replaced, wherever required, while ensuring there is no cross-connection between potable and non-potable water systems. All piping forming part of the drinking-water circuit will also be checked for leakages and necessary corrective measures taken to prevent water wastage."

Officials noted that special attention will be given to locations using hand pumps and borewells for drinking water extraction. Zonal Railways will ensure that water from these sources remains uncontaminated and safe for consumption.

The CAG, in its report, said that although the Indian Railway Works Manual requires monthly cleaning of water coolers, audits during joint inspections observed deficiencies in cleaning and record maintenance at 191 stations.

The report highlighted an instance of negligence by including a photo of a water cooler tank at Titlagarh station in the East Coast Railway Zone, showing black sludge in the water.

The report, stating that records indicated that the tank had been cleaned on November 1, 2024, and the inspection was conducted a month later, on December 2, 2024, suggested discrepancies in the inspection process.

The ministry stated that during this new drive, which is part of a broader action plan, Zonal Railways have been advised to conduct comprehensive inspections of water coolers and purification systems.

Zonal Railways have been asked to submit station-wise details of deficiencies identified and the corrective action taken.

"This mechanism will facilitate systematic monitoring of deficiencies and ensure that issues identified during the special drive are addressed in a time-bound manner," the ministry said.