CAG report finds water contamination and amenity shortages at Indian railway stations

A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed widespread deficiencies in passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations. The audit, which examined 512 stations, found that over 89% lacked one or more prescribed minimum essential amenities, such as seating, toilets, platform shelters, fans, and signage.

Of significant concern is the quality of drinking water. The audit identified contamination at several stations, including the presence of E. coli and total coliform bacteria. Specific locations where E. coli was detected in water coolers include Coimbatore and Palakkad Junction in the South Railway zone, Hyderabad in the South Central Railway zone, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan, and Lonavala in the Central Railway zone, as well as Madhupur in the Eastern Railway zone.

The report also noted that 59 stations across six zones did not undergo bacteriological analysis of their drinking water. Furthermore, despite the availability of funds, between 36% and 44% of the budget grants for passenger amenities remained unspent annually between 2019-20 and 2023-24.