# Indian Railways expands water safety and hygiene enforcement > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indian-railways-food-safety-and-amenity-deficiencies > Updated: 2026-08-26T13:33:19.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 8. Indian Railways continues to face scrutiny regarding food safety and passenger amenities. A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed widespread deficiencies, finding that 89% of 512 non-suburban stations lacked essential facilities such as seating, toilets, platform shelters, and signage. The audit also highlighted significant water contamination issues, detecting E. coli and total coliform bacteria in water coolers and platform taps at several locations, including Coimbatore, Palakkad Junction, Hyderabad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Kalyan, Lonavala, and Madhupur. Additionally, the report noted that between 36% and 44% of budget grants for passenger amenities remained unspent annually from 2019 to 2024. In response to these findings, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered immediate corrective measures, including the planned installation of a ‘Tank to Tap’ water filtration and monitoring system at approximately 20,000 locations. Zonal Railways have initiated a specialized cleanliness and disinfection drive, focusing on inspecting the entire water supply chain—from treatment plants to storage tanks—and ensuring the maintenance of UV and RO purification systems. To enforce hygiene standards, Indian Railways has also implemented stricter cleanliness regulations. Under amended rules, the maximum fine for littering or violating cleanliness protocols, such as spitting or unauthorized cooking on premises, has doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000. Individuals refusing to pay may face court-imposed fines of up to ₹2,000. Enforcement remains active through surprise inspections of food stalls and water facilities to ensure compliance with safety and hygiene standards. ## Claims - The Railway Ministry will install a 'Tank to Tap' water filtration system at approximately 20,000 locations. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Railways have ordered the replacement of water tanks as part of corrective measures. (corroborated by 4 sources) - E. coli bacteria was found in drinking water from water coolers at eight railway stations. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Bacteriological testing of drinking water was not conducted at 59 stations across six railway zones. (corroborated by 2 sources) - More than 89% of 512 non-suburban railway stations surveyed were deficient in Minimum Essential Amenities. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Indian Railways doubles fines for littering and hygiene violations Indian Railways has doubled fines for littering and hygiene violations at stations and on trains, increasing the penalty from ₹500 to ₹1,000, with potential court fines reaching ₹2,000. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-railways-doubles-fines-for-littering-and-hygiene-violations ### 2026-08-24: Indian Railways launches water safety and hygiene drive Indian Railways has launched a network-wide disinfection drive to ensure safe, potable drinking water at stations through rigorous inspection of supply chains, purification systems, and storage tanks. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-railways-launches-water-safety-and-hygiene-drive ### 2026-08-20: Eastern Railway inspects food stalls at major stations Eastern Railway officials conducted surprise food safety and hygiene inspections at Howrah, Sealdah, and Malda Town stations to ensure passenger well-being. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eastern-railway-inspects-food-stalls-at-major-stations ### 2026-08-19: South Central Railway faces infrastructure and sanitation scrutiny in Telangana A CAG audit found sanitation and amenity failures at major Telangana railway stations, including E. coli in Nampally water, while local MPs demand faster implementation of sanctioned rail projects. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-central-railway-faces-infrastructure-and-sanitation-scrutiny-in-telangana ### 2026-08-18: IRCTC intensifies food safety checks and inspections across Indian rail network IRCTC has intensified food safety inspections across Indian railways, seizing thousands of unapproved water bottles and fining a catering company 2 lakh rupees following food quality complaints on a Vande भारत. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/irctc-intensifies-inspections-of-food-and-beverages-on-indian-railways ### 2026-08-16: Indian Railways to overhaul water systems after CAG finds E. coli Following a CAG report finding E. coli in station drinking water, Indian Railways will install ‘Tank to Tap’ filtration systems at 20,000 locations to ensure passenger safety. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-railways-to-overhaul-water-safety-after-cag-audit-finds-e-coli ### 2026-08-14: CAG report finds water contamination and amenity shortages at Indian railway stations A CAG audit of Indian Railways found that 89% of inspected non-suburban stations lack essential amenities and that drinking water at several locations is contaminated with bacteria like E. coli. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cag-report-finds-water-contamination-and-amenity-shortages-at-indian-railway-stations ### 2026-08-07: Indian Railways penalises caterers, terminates six contracts over food safety violations Indian Railways fined caterers Rs 5.13 crore, ended six contracts and issued 54 show‑cause notices for food‑safety breaches, while launching inspections, QR codes and other hygiene measures. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-railways-penalises-caterers-terminates-six-contracts-over-food-safety-violations --- Cite as: Indian Railways expands water safety and hygiene enforcement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indian-railways-food-safety-and-amenity-deficiencies