The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has found E Coli bacteria in drinking water samples from coolers at eight out of 49 railway stations across India. The report also highlights deficiencies in providing essential amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and seating arrangements.
According to a recent CAG report titled ‘Passenger Amenities and Sanitation at Non-Suburban Railway Stations in Indian Railways’, E Coli bacteria was detected in water samples collected from coolers at eight out of 49 railway stations. The affected locations include Coimbatore and Palakkad Junction in the Southern Railway region, Hyderabad in the South Central Railway region, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan, and Lonavala in the Central Railway region, and Madhupur in the Eastern Railway region. These bacteria are typically found in human and animal excreta and can cause diseases such as food poisoning, diarrhoea, and urinary tract infections.
The report also indicates that total coliform bacteria were detected in drinking water samples collected from platform taps at 49 stations, which is a concern as total coliforms are usually found in soil and human and animal waste. The audit further revealed that bacteriological tests on parameters other than total coliforms gave unsatisfactory results at eight stations across four zones in the years 2022-’23 and 2023-’24.
Moreover, health inspectors had not carried out chemical tests of drinking water at 179 stations, and at 77 stations, the tests had not been conducted at the prescribed frequency of twice a year. In response to these findings, the railways ministry initiated action based on the audit’s findings about the frequency of testing drinking water and unsatisfactory test results.
The report also emphasizes that 458 out of the 512 stations were deficient in minimum essential amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and seating arrangements. These shortcomings are significant, especially since the Railway Board had stipulated that these amenities be made available at all stations by August 31, 2018.
Source:
Scroll.in
