The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged the presence of E. coli bacteria in drinking water samples collected from several railway stations, along with deficiencies in passenger amenities and sanitation. The findings were detailed in a report on passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations, tabled in Parliament on August 12. The audit covered 512 selected stations across different railway zones.
According to the CAG report, water samples from water coolers tested positive for E. coli at eight stations. These included Coimbatore and Palakkad Junction in Southern Railway, Hyderabad in South Central Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala in Central Railway, and Madhupur in Eastern Railway. The audit also found that bacteriological testing of drinking water was not carried out at 59 stations across six railway zones.
The report noted that samples collected from platform taps at 49 stations across eight zones during 2022-23 and 56 stations across nine zones during 2023-24 indicated the presence of Total coliform bacteria, including E. coli. Bacteriological tests other than Total coliforms were found unsatisfactory at eight stations in four zones in 2022-23 and 11 stations in five zones in 2023-24. The CAG recommended comprehensive testing of drinking water in accordance with prescribed quality protocols.
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The audit also found wider shortcomings in basic passenger facilities. Of the 512 stations examined, 458, or more than 89 per cent, were deficient in Minimum Essential Amenities, either because facilities were unavailable or because they fell below prescribed standards. Shortfalls included latrines at 201 stations, urinals at 403 stations and drinking water taps at 2,035 stations, according to an analysis of the Passenger Amenities Management System.
Even some of the country's major NSG-1 stations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Howrah, Sealdah, New Delhi and Mumbai Central, were found deficient in facilities such as seating arrangements, sanitary facilities, dustbins and electronic train indicator boards. The CAG noted that Railway Board guidelines issued in April 2018 required Minimum Essential Amenities such as drinking water, waiting halls, seating, platform shelters, toilets, fans, foot overbridges, dustbins, clocks and public address systems to be provided at stations.
The report covered findings from test audits conducted between 2019-20 and 2023-24, along with certain earlier cases and, where necessary, instances identified after 2023-24. Indian Railways has 5,908 non-suburban railway stations and operated more than 7,424 non-suburban passenger trains daily in 2023-24, carrying around 292.4 crore passengers. The CAG urged the Railways to strengthen inspections of water supply systems and ensure comprehensive drinking water quality testing covering all parameters under the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol.
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