Ensure drinking water at railway stations is pure

Representation pic

Reports across the media have stated that drinking water at several railway stations in the country is dangerous. This was because the water was found to be contaminated with E coli bacteria, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

The information came from the CAG audit on ‘Passenger Amenities and Sanitation at Non-Suburban Railway Stations' presented in Parliament recently. It highlighted significant gaps in sanitation, drinking water and basic amenities across the Indian Railways network. Especially disturbing was the finding of E coli in water coolers at eight railway stations. E coli can cause severe and dangerous illness as it is a bacterium commonly associated with faecal contamination.

The audit also found evidence of bacterial contamination in drinking water collected from taps.

Authorities needed to work on this immediately; in fact, the clock should have started ticking the second this was established. Seal and junk the coolers. Check the water source at all stations. This is necessary to get to the root of this problem and weed it out completely. If there are contractors that are guilty of this, boot them out of the stations and ensure they do not return to sell food or drink.

There needs to be a zero tolerance policy, especially on this most basic amenity - drinking water at public commuting facilities.

All the AC trains and upgradation are pointless if we cannot give safe drinking water to commuters. All the shouting about bullet trains is in vain if we have such conditions at railway stations. Do not commute without buying a ticket. Authorities do not ply trains without access to clean water at stations.