CAG report on Indian Railways NEW DELHI: E. coli bacteria, some strains of which can cause food poisoning, diarrhoea and kidney failure, has been detected in drinking samples collected from water coolers at several railway stations, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.The CAG study assessed passenger services at 512 non-suburban grade railway stations across all Indian Railway zones.It found that water samples from coolers tested positive for E. coli at eight railway stations across four zones.”Water sample from water cooler was positive for E.coli at two stations (Coimbatore and Palakkad Junctions) in SR (Southern Railway), one station (Hyderabad) in SCR (South Central Railway), four stations (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala) in CR (Central Railway) and one station (Madhupur) in ER (Eastern Railway),” the report said, according to PTI.The audit also found that 458 of the 512 selected stations—more than 89%—were deficient in providing Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA). At these stations, MEAs were either not provided or were available below the prescribed norms.”In April 2018, RB (Railway Board) issued comprehensive instructions prescribing Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA), Recommended Amenities (RA) and Desirable Amenities (DA) for stations categorised as NSG 1 to NSG 6. RB stipulated that MEAs were to be ensured at all stations by 31 August 2018,” the report stated.”RB’s instructions (April 2018) mandated that MEAs be provided first at all stations, irrespective of category. These include drinking water, waiting halls, seating arrangements, platform shelters, urinals, latrines, high-level platforms, fans, Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), dustbins, clocks and public address systems,” it added.According to the CAG, Indian Railways has 5,908 stations under the Non-Suburban Group (NSG), while it operated more than 7,424 non-suburban passenger trains daily and carried 292.4 crore non-suburban passengers in 2023-24.Deficiencies were found even at NSG-1 stations such as CSMT and Mumbai Central (both in Mumbai), Howrah and Sealdah (both West Bengal) and New Delhi, including in seating arrangements, sanitary facilities such as urinals and latrines, dustbins and electronic train indicator boards.Explaining the rationale for the detailed inspection, the CAG noted that the Railway Board had issued various guidelines for providing passenger amenities at stations. The audit assessed whether the Railways’ efforts to provide passenger amenities and sanitation facilities were delivering the intended benefits.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAn analysis of the Passenger Amenities Management System also revealed shortfalls against MEA norms, including inadequate latrines at 201 stations, urinals at 403 stations and water taps at 2,035 stations, among other deficiencies.Among its key recommendations, the CAG urged the Railways to “ensure compliance with prescribed protocols for inspection of water supply systems and comprehensive testing of drinking water quality, including all parameters under the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol.”Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosActivist Devendra Mahto Stopped From Tiranga March As Jharkhand Student Protest Escalates On I-Day‘Came From The Top’: Mahua Moitra Alleges Late-Night Pressure, Seeks Speaker Om Birla’s InterventionDid Congress Leaders Signal Stop? Viral Vande Mataram Video Sparks Political Firestorm In New DelhiIndia Signs ₹1,577 Crore Drone Deals As Army Powers Up Precision Strikes And Unmanned WarfareAjit Doval Breaks Silence On Operation Sindoor, Reveals PM Modi’s Immediate Response After PahalgamPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgeRahul Gandhi, Kharge Skip Red Fort Event Again As Congress Flags Threats To Democratic InstitutionsPM Modi From Red Fort: India’s Self-Reliance Push, Semiconductor Boom And Manufacturing SurgePM Modi From Red Fort On 80th Independence Day: ‘India Must Dream Big And Move Forward’79 Years Of Freedom: What Do Indians Really Want From Their Country, Leaders And Democracy Now?123Photostories10 unusual foods from India that tourists are often afraid to try7 Food items naturally rich in vitamin D to add to your dietStop throwing away stale bread: 7 surprisingly useful ways to use itLove quote of the day by Maya Angelou: ‘I sustain myself with the love of family’Why do Indian brides wear a maang tikka?Your walk changes after 60, but is it really ‘normal ageing’? What a shuffle, sway or slower step could be telling you7 Foods to eat in the morning for better digestion and easier bowel movementsWant a better relationship with your parents? 8 simple tips every teenager should try10 baby girl names inspired by ancient flowersOptical illusion personality test: What you see first reveals your most irritating personality trait123Hot PicksMartin Luther King JrRajasthan UCCDelhi trafficJharkhand protestEast Coast Railway GDCE recruitmentMP Class 10, 12 timetableIran warKarnataka bandhUP NEET UG counsellingTop TrendingPM ModiCM VijayBengaluru Namma MetroAsish BanerjeeManan KumarVirender Singh BasoyaJP NaddaWeather TomorrowBengaluru RapidoAbhijeet Dipke
NEW DELHI: E. coli bacteria, some strains of which can cause food poisoning, diarrhoea and kidney failure, has been detected in drinking samples collected from water coolers at several railway stations, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.The CAG study assessed passenger services at 512 non-suburban grade railway stations across all Indian Railway zones.It found that water samples from coolers tested positive for E. coli at eight railway stations across four zones.“Water sample from water cooler was positive for E.coli at two stations (Coimbatore and Palakkad Junctions) in SR (Southern Railway), one station (Hyderabad) in SCR (South Central Railway), four stations (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala) in CR (Central Railway) and one station (Madhupur) in ER (Eastern Railway),” the report said, according to PTI.The audit also found that 458 of the 512 selected stations—more than 89%—were deficient in providing Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA). At these stations, MEAs were either not provided or were available below the prescribed norms.“In April 2018, RB (Railway Board) issued comprehensive instructions prescribing Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA), Recommended Amenities (RA) and Desirable Amenities (DA) for stations categorised as NSG 1 to NSG 6. RB stipulated that MEAs were to be ensured at all stations by 31 August 2018,” the report stated.“RB’s instructions (April 2018) mandated that MEAs be provided first at all stations, irrespective of category. These include drinking water, waiting halls, seating arrangements, platform shelters, urinals, latrines, high-level platforms, fans, Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), dustbins, clocks and public address systems,” it added.According to the CAG, Indian Railways has 5,908 stations under the Non-Suburban Group (NSG), while it operated more than 7,424 non-suburban passenger trains daily and carried 292.4 crore non-suburban passengers in 2023-24.Deficiencies were found even at NSG-1 stations such as CSMT and Mumbai Central (both in Mumbai), Howrah and Sealdah (both West Bengal) and New Delhi, including in seating arrangements, sanitary facilities such as urinals and latrines, dustbins and electronic train indicator boards.Explaining the rationale for the detailed inspection, the CAG noted that the Railway Board had issued various guidelines for providing passenger amenities at stations. The audit assessed whether the Railways’ efforts to provide passenger amenities and sanitation facilities were delivering the intended benefits.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
An analysis of the Passenger Amenities Management System also revealed shortfalls against MEA norms, including inadequate latrines at 201 stations, urinals at 403 stations and water taps at 2,035 stations, among other deficiencies.Among its key recommendations, the CAG urged the Railways to “ensure compliance with prescribed protocols for inspection of water supply systems and comprehensive testing of drinking water quality, including all parameters under the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol.”
