August 31, 2026
Updated: Aug 25, 2026, 12:58 IST

Updated: Aug 25, 2026, 12:58 IST

Vamsikrishna010 mins mins

GM Pravin Thipsay (left) and GM Aaryan Varshney with his father Gaurav (right) NEW DELHI: In 1978, the chess world was a reflection of a fiercely guarded aristocracy, it can be said. The title of Grandmaster (GM) was not merely a designation. Rather, it was an exclusive fraternity reserved for the absolute statistical anomalies of…

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Delhi High Court rules in the favour of Janhvi Kapoor as it orders removal of obscene content from 5000 pages on the internet, her plea covered allegedly pornographic, AI, fake content

Delhi High Court rules in the favour of Janhvi Kapoor as it orders removal of obscene content from 5000 pages on the internet, her plea covered allegedly pornographic, AI, fake content

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

The Delhi High Court has stepped in to protect Janhvi Kapoor from obscene and pornographic material circulating online, while at the same time drawing a line around what can and cannot be removed in the name of personality rights.Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, hearing Kapoor’s plea on Tuesday, passed an interim order directing the removal of…

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AP POLYCET 2026 answer key released at polycetap.ap.gov.in: Check direct link, steps to raise objections

AP POLYCET 2026 answer key released at polycetap.ap.gov.in: Check direct link, steps to raise objections

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

AP POLYCET 2026 answer key AP POLYCET 2026 answer key: The State Board of Technical Education and Training Andhra Pradesh (SBTET AP) has released the provisional answer key for the Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test (AP POLYCET) 2026. Candidates who appeared for the entrance exam can now download the answer key from the official…

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WBJEEB JENPAS UG 2026 registration begins at wbjeeb.nic.in: Direct link to apply here

WBJEEB JENPAS UG 2026 registration begins at wbjeeb.nic.in: Direct link to apply here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) has started the registration process for the Joint Entrance Test for Nursing, Paramedical, and Allied Sciences Undergraduate (JENPAS UG) 2026 today, March 25, 2026. Interested and eligible candidates can now apply online through the official website.Candidates can submit their applications for JENPAS UG 2026 till April 15,…

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Thich Nhat Hanh Quote: Quote of the day by Thich Nhat Hanh: “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free”

Thich Nhat Hanh Quote: Quote of the day by Thich Nhat Hanh: “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, or possessions – we cannot be free”

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Thich Nhat Hanh remains one of the most influential spiritual teachers of modern times, known for bringing mindfulness into everyday life. A Zen Buddhist monk and peace activist from Vietnam, he spent most of his life spreading compassion and peace of mind. His ideas and thoughts are not confined to spiritual circles; he has influenced…

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Scientists drill 33 feet into a vanishing Alpine glacier to recover a 2,000-year climate record revealing ancient silver mining, massive forest fires, and far-off volcanic eruptions

Scientists drill 33 feet into a vanishing Alpine glacier to recover a 2,000-year climate record revealing ancient silver mining, massive forest fires, and far-off volcanic eruptions

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

Scientists working on Alpine glacier (AI-generated image) Scientists drilled 33 feet into ice and recovered a 2,000-year climate record, a frozen capsule that can reveal how the atmosphere breathed long before modern measurements.High on the Weißseespitze glacier in the eastern Alps, an international research team extracted an ice core barely 33 feet long that preserves…

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BTEUP Even Semester result 2026 declared at bteup.ac.in: Direct link active to download marksheet

BTEUP Even Semester result 2026 declared at bteup.ac.in: Direct link active to download marksheet

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The Board of Technical Education, Uttar Pradesh (BTEUP) has released the Even Semester Result 2026 for diploma and pharmacy programmes. Candidates who appeared for the regular and special back paper examinations can now download their scorecards from the official website. The online marksheet provides subject-wise scores, total marks, and qualifying status for each candidate. The…

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Bank of Baroda IT Manager recruitment 2026: Registration begins for 418 posts, direct link to apply here

Bank of Baroda IT Manager recruitment 2026: Registration begins for 418 posts, direct link to apply here

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Bank of Baroda has released a notification for recruitment in its Information Technology (IT) department on a regular basis. The bank has announced 418 vacancies for various posts including Officer, Manager and Senior Manager. The online application process has started and candidates can apply through the official website within the given deadline. The recruitment drive…

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NEW DELHI: Dismissing reports of fuel quality issues at outlets, govt Tuesday said additional checks have been introduced by oil marketing companies (OMCs) to detect fuel contamination and adulteration.In a post on X, the petroleum ministry said OMCs were regularly monitoring fuel quality, water ingress and contamination, and that only two cases of chloride contamination had been detected so far.”In addition to the advanced and elaborate testing protocols already in place, further checks have been instituted, including water ingress testing 8-12 times a day at over 87,000 outlets. Over 2,000 samples have also been tested for chloride/sulphide. Only two cases of chloride contamination have been found in the entire country till now, and sales from those pumps were suspended immediately,” ministry said.It added that oil companies had been instructed to take proactive steps to detect any possible contamination across the fuel supply chain, and strict action would be taken if contamination or adulteration was found at any retail outlet.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThrough a series of infographics on X, ministry said there was “zero compromise” on quality benchmarks and that 302 tankers carrying 10,500 kilolitres of ethanol were rejected between July 2024 and June 2026 for failing quality standards.It added that ethanol used for blending must comply with BIS IS 15464, have a minimum purity of 99.6% and be accompanied by a certified quality report. The ministry said ethanol is stored in dedicated facilities to prevent contamination, its quality is monitored regularly to ensure consistency and every tanker is sampled from both the top and bottom before being accepted.Separately, govt has so far approved Rs 4,687 crore as interest subsidy for eligible ethanol projects under its various support schemes, minister of state for petroleum Suresh Gopi told Parliament Monday. Under the schemes, govt bears an interest subvention of 6% or 50% of the interest rate charged by lenders, whichever is lower, for five years on loans taken to set up new distilleries or expand existing ethanol production capacity.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director SuspendedUdhayanidhi Stalin Released Hours After Arrest Over ‘Double Meaning’ RemarkSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can Happen123PhotostoriesThe first date was amazing. So why wasn’t there a second? 9 reasons it happens more often than you think12 dhaba-style potato dishes that are perfect for lunch and dinnerWant siblings who stay close for life? These everyday parenting habits can make all the difference10 baby boy names inspired by kings and royaltyTamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looksBleeding gums may be warning you about more than your teeth: Doctor explains the link to heart disease, stroke and diabetesOptical illusion brain teaser: You might be a record breaker if you spot the ‘blue-eyed fox’ among the browns in this jungleThe way you react today becomes your child’s inner voice tomorrow: 7 everyday moments that shape your child’s future more than any parenting advice ever could13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should tryHow to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

NEW DELHI: Dismissing reports of fuel quality issues at outlets, govt Tuesday said additional checks have been introduced by oil marketing companies (OMCs) to detect fuel contamination and adulteration.In a post on X, the petroleum ministry said OMCs were regularly monitoring fuel quality, water ingress and contamination, and that only two cases of chloride contamination had been detected so far.”In addition to the advanced and elaborate testing protocols already in place, further checks have been instituted, including water ingress testing 8-12 times a day at over 87,000 outlets. Over 2,000 samples have also been tested for chloride/sulphide. Only two cases of chloride contamination have been found in the entire country till now, and sales from those pumps were suspended immediately,” ministry said.It added that oil companies had been instructed to take proactive steps to detect any possible contamination across the fuel supply chain, and strict action would be taken if contamination or adulteration was found at any retail outlet.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThrough a series of infographics on X, ministry said there was “zero compromise” on quality benchmarks and that 302 tankers carrying 10,500 kilolitres of ethanol were rejected between July 2024 and June 2026 for failing quality standards.It added that ethanol used for blending must comply with BIS IS 15464, have a minimum purity of 99.6% and be accompanied by a certified quality report. The ministry said ethanol is stored in dedicated facilities to prevent contamination, its quality is monitored regularly to ensure consistency and every tanker is sampled from both the top and bottom before being accepted.Separately, govt has so far approved Rs 4,687 crore as interest subsidy for eligible ethanol projects under its various support schemes, minister of state for petroleum Suresh Gopi told Parliament Monday. Under the schemes, govt bears an interest subvention of 6% or 50% of the interest rate charged by lenders, whichever is lower, for five years on loans taken to set up new distilleries or expand existing ethanol production capacity.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSecurity On High Alert: Pak Drone Sighted In Jammu On Eve Of Article 370 Abrogation AnniversaryNot A Single Woman In Karnataka Cabinet? Congress Faces Tough QuestionsExplained: Why Jharkhand Students Are Distancing Their JPSC Protest From The Jantar Mantar AgitationGovernment Proposes V2V Technology To Enable Real-Time Vehicle Communication For Better Road Safety’Cannot Tear Open My Chest’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s First Reaction To JPSC Student Protest’Thought We Would Die’: Air India Phuket-Delhi Flight Hit By Violent Turbulence, Several InjuredNHAI Forced Into U-Turn After Posting Wrong Pic Of Rajasthan’s NH-25; Project Director SuspendedUdhayanidhi Stalin Released Hours After Arrest Over ‘Double Meaning’ RemarkSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can Happen123PhotostoriesThe first date was amazing. So why wasn’t there a second? 9 reasons it happens more often than you think12 dhaba-style potato dishes that are perfect for lunch and dinnerWant siblings who stay close for life? These everyday parenting habits can make all the difference10 baby boy names inspired by kings and royaltyTamannaah Bhatia turns heads with 3 dramatically different looksBleeding gums may be warning you about more than your teeth: Doctor explains the link to heart disease, stroke and diabetesOptical illusion brain teaser: You might be a record breaker if you spot the ‘blue-eyed fox’ among the browns in this jungleThe way you react today becomes your child’s inner voice tomorrow: 7 everyday moments that shape your child’s future more than any parenting advice ever could13 iconic ice creams from around the world every dessert lover should tryHow to talk to toddlers to nurture intelligence: Science-backed tips123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathPappu Yadav Slipper AttackPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Dismissing reports of fuel quality issues at outlets, govt Tuesday said additional checks have been introduced by oil marketing companies (OMCs) to detect fuel contamination and adulteration.In a post on X, the petroleum ministry said OMCs were regularly monitoring fuel quality, water ingress and contamination, and that only two cases of chloride contamination…

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BSEB Bihar STET result 2025 expected on this date at bsebstet.org; steps to check online score

BSEB Bihar STET result 2025 expected on this date at bsebstet.org; steps to check online score

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Bihar STET result 2025 expected soon at BSEB; check online score easily Bihar STET 2025 result: The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is expected to release the Bihar Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test (STET) result 2025 soon. Millions of candidates who appeared in the examination are awaiting their scores. The exam was conducted in Computer Based…

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A New Jersey artist bought a 600-square-foot cabin in 1989 and kept adding to it; 37 years later, Luna Parc is a 5,000-square-foot home, studio and living artwork still being built

A New Jersey artist bought a 600-square-foot cabin in 1989 and kept adding to it; 37 years later, Luna Parc is a 5,000-square-foot home, studio and living artwork still being built

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

A ferrocement structure welcomes visitors to the property and has been named the ‘Artichoke Portico’ by Boscarino (Pictures: Spaces Archives) When Ricky Boscarino came across a small 600-square-foot cabin in the woods in New Jersey in 1988, he saw more than just a place to live. A year later, he began transforming it into what…

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PM Modi addresses Mann Ki Baat (ANI image) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 135th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, highlighted India’s progress in self-reliance, defence manufacturing and aviation, praised citizens for responding to his appeal amid the Middle East crisis, and lauded initiatives promoting social welfare and financial security.Addressing the programme, he highlighted the successful test of an indigenous long-range land-attack cruise missile developed jointly by DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.”From the seas to the skies, our India is becoming increasingly secure and self-reliant,” PM Modi said, adding that these achievements are strengthening the country’s resolve towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat. India’s defence and aviation achievementsOn defence, PM Modi talked about the successful induction of indigenous naval platforms, saying INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray had joined the Indian Navy and that every aspect of their design and manufacturing was indigenous.Highlighting India’s progress in the aviation sector, he noted that the indigenously manufactured C-295 transport aircraft had completed its maiden flight and 40 such aircraft are being manufactured in India.Highlights Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima YojanaThe Prime Minister urged citizens to take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), describing it as an affordable social security initiative.”The government is extending this protective shield to crores of families across the country. Under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, for an annual premium of just Rs 20, one gets accidental insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh,” he said.Warns against superstitionPrime Minister Modi also spoke about the dangers of superstition, urging people to rely on logic and facts rather than fear and misconceptions.”In Mann Ki Baat, let us now discuss a subject that is thousands of years old, one that has been deeply ingrained in human society for millennia. That subject is superstition. Superstition is often not merely a misconception; it begets fear, and when fear dominates the mind, a person stops seeing the truth. People steeped in superstition begin making decisions without logic or knowledge of the facts—decisions that lead to great harm,” he said.Hails public response to Middle East crisisReferring to the prevailing war-like situation in Middle East, the Prime Minister thanked citizens for responding positively to his appeal to conserve resources.”I had urged countrymen to avoid buying gold for some time, as far as possible. I am grateful to every citizen of the country; not only have they supported my appeal, they are also actively cooperating in every way,” he said.Modi said several families had informed him that they chose not to purchase new gold for weddings, instead opting to recycle old jewellery. He also noted that many people had postponed foreign travel and embraced carpooling to reduce fuel consumption.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 MediaVideosCong Seeks Bigger Role in UP Alliance; New In-Charge’s ‘Equal Share’ Pitch Raises Stakes: ReportsBharat Taxi Rolls Out as India’s First Cooperative Cab Service; 500-City Expansion PlannedSix Op Sindoor Personnel Honoured; Opposition Questions Rajnath Singh’s Parliament RemarksOver 1.2 Lakh Waqf Assets Still Await Verification As June 30 Deadline NearsKarnataka Man Pulls Out Crude Bombs After Lover ‘Refused’ To Marry Him, Dies In ExplosionNCB Report Warns Of Nitazenes, Myanmar Route; Flags Telegram As Key Hub For Drug AdsMaharashtra TET Exam Postponed After ‘Paper Leak’, 3 Arrested, CM Fadnavis Orders SIT ProbeFadnavis, Uddhav Share Flight Amid Shiv Sena Turmoil After Six MPs Switch Sides | WatchPM Modi Meets Jonathan, World’s Oldest Living Land Animal, During Seychelles VisitAkal Takht Summons Sikh MLAs; Bhagwant Mann Calls Crucial AAP Huddle In Punjab | Watch123PhotostoriesFSSAI issues notice to famous biscuit brand for misleading “100% Atta” claim: How to make preservative-free atta biscuit at homeCristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez finally getting married? Reports reveal the possible wedding date6 Beautiful house names perfect for villas, farmhouses, and cottagesPM Modi enjoys coconut water with Seychelles President: 5 ways to enjoy this hydrating drink and foods to combine with itStarting IVF soon? 5 crucial questions fertility experts say every couple should ask before treatment begins7 signs you are mentally exhausted even if you don’t feel stressed6 high-protein cheela recipes for healthy weight lossEveryone else seems to have it figured out: Why young adults feel the pressure to be ‘sorted’ before they turn 30Bollywood stars who follow the early dinner rule for fitness: From Anushka Sharma to Akshay Kumar5 common mistakes people make while buying diamonds123Hot PicksChinese proverb of the dayJapanese Proverb Of The DayErling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Combined Net worthFIFA world cup 2026Rams FanRam Temple DonationNigerian Proverb of the dayUS Strike on IranKetan Agarwal MurderTop TrendingK BhagyarajMumbai Local Train DeathRam Temple Donation RowFIFA World Cup 2026NFL TradeUS Iran CeasefirePriyanka GandhiSergei IvanovMK StalinMumbai Local Train News

PM Modi addresses Mann Ki Baat (ANI image) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 135th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, highlighted India’s progress in self-reliance, defence manufacturing and aviation, praised citizens for responding to his appeal amid the Middle East crisis, and lauded initiatives promoting social welfare and financial security.Addressing the programme, he highlighted the successful test of an indigenous long-range land-attack cruise missile developed jointly by DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.”From the seas to the skies, our India is becoming increasingly secure and self-reliant,” PM Modi said, adding that these achievements are strengthening the country’s resolve towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat. India’s defence and aviation achievementsOn defence, PM Modi talked about the successful induction of indigenous naval platforms, saying INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray had joined the Indian Navy and that every aspect of their design and manufacturing was indigenous.Highlighting India’s progress in the aviation sector, he noted that the indigenously manufactured C-295 transport aircraft had completed its maiden flight and 40 such aircraft are being manufactured in India.Highlights Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima YojanaThe Prime Minister urged citizens to take advantage of the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), describing it as an affordable social security initiative.”The government is extending this protective shield to crores of families across the country. Under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, for an annual premium of just Rs 20, one gets accidental insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh,” he said.Warns against superstitionPrime Minister Modi also spoke about the dangers of superstition, urging people to rely on logic and facts rather than fear and misconceptions.”In Mann Ki Baat, let us now discuss a subject that is thousands of years old, one that has been deeply ingrained in human society for millennia. That subject is superstition. Superstition is often not merely a misconception; it begets fear, and when fear dominates the mind, a person stops seeing the truth. People steeped in superstition begin making decisions without logic or knowledge of the facts—decisions that lead to great harm,” he said.Hails public response to Middle East crisisReferring to the prevailing war-like situation in Middle East, the Prime Minister thanked citizens for responding positively to his appeal to conserve resources.”I had urged countrymen to avoid buying gold for some time, as far as possible. I am grateful to every citizen of the country; not only have they supported my appeal, they are also actively cooperating in every way,” he said.Modi said several families had informed him that they chose not to purchase new gold for weddings, instead opting to recycle old jewellery. He also noted that many people had postponed foreign travel and embraced carpooling to reduce fuel consumption.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 MediaVideosCong Seeks Bigger Role in UP Alliance; New In-Charge’s ‘Equal Share’ Pitch Raises Stakes: ReportsBharat Taxi Rolls Out as India’s First Cooperative Cab Service; 500-City Expansion PlannedSix Op Sindoor Personnel Honoured; Opposition Questions Rajnath Singh’s Parliament RemarksOver 1.2 Lakh Waqf Assets Still Await Verification As June 30 Deadline NearsKarnataka Man Pulls Out Crude Bombs After Lover ‘Refused’ To Marry Him, Dies In ExplosionNCB Report Warns Of Nitazenes, Myanmar Route; Flags Telegram As Key Hub For Drug AdsMaharashtra TET Exam Postponed After ‘Paper Leak’, 3 Arrested, CM Fadnavis Orders SIT ProbeFadnavis, Uddhav Share Flight Amid Shiv Sena Turmoil After Six MPs Switch Sides | WatchPM Modi Meets Jonathan, World’s Oldest Living Land Animal, During Seychelles VisitAkal Takht Summons Sikh MLAs; Bhagwant Mann Calls Crucial AAP Huddle In Punjab | Watch123PhotostoriesFSSAI issues notice to famous biscuit brand for misleading “100% Atta” claim: How to make preservative-free atta biscuit at homeCristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez finally getting married? Reports reveal the possible wedding date6 Beautiful house names perfect for villas, farmhouses, and cottagesPM Modi enjoys coconut water with Seychelles President: 5 ways to enjoy this hydrating drink and foods to combine with itStarting IVF soon? 5 crucial questions fertility experts say every couple should ask before treatment begins7 signs you are mentally exhausted even if you don’t feel stressed6 high-protein cheela recipes for healthy weight lossEveryone else seems to have it figured out: Why young adults feel the pressure to be ‘sorted’ before they turn 30Bollywood stars who follow the early dinner rule for fitness: From Anushka Sharma to Akshay Kumar5 common mistakes people make while buying diamonds123Hot PicksChinese proverb of the dayJapanese Proverb Of The DayErling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Combined Net worthFIFA world cup 2026Rams FanRam Temple DonationNigerian Proverb of the dayUS Strike on IranKetan Agarwal MurderTop TrendingK BhagyarajMumbai Local Train DeathRam Temple Donation RowFIFA World Cup 2026NFL TradeUS Iran CeasefirePriyanka GandhiSergei IvanovMK StalinMumbai Local Train News

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

PM Modi addresses Mann Ki Baat (ANI image) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 135th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, highlighted India’s progress in self-reliance, defence manufacturing and aviation, praised citizens for responding to his appeal amid the Middle East crisis, and lauded initiatives promoting social welfare and financial…

Read More
‘Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown Ups’: Yash’s look hints at a raw transformation, teaser to be unveiled on the actor’s birthday

‘Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown Ups’: Yash’s look hints at a raw transformation, teaser to be unveiled on the actor’s birthday

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Yash’s upcoming film ‘Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown Ups’ has ignited excitement with a fiery new poster and a teaser announcement for January 8, his 40th birthday. The teaser, set to release at 10:10 pm, promises a raw, stylish, and never-before-seen avatar of the actor, hinting at a dark, intense, and multi-dimensional narrative. Yash…

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Nasa unveils 0 million for new Lunar base missions for 2028: Inside the plan to build a lasting presence on the Moon

Nasa unveils $600 million for new Lunar base missions for 2028: Inside the plan to build a lasting presence on the Moon

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

Nasa has taken another step towards building a permanent human presence on the Moon by awarding almost $600 million in fresh contracts for a new series of robotic lander missions. Rather than focusing on a single spacecraft, the agency is spreading the work across several commercial partners, continuing its strategy of using private companies to…

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Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma shows off diamond ring as she celebrates with cricketer – PICS

Hardik Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma shows off diamond ring as she celebrates with cricketer – PICS

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma may be denying engagement buzz, but her dazzling diamond ring was back to being the centre of attention after the T20 World Cup finals. Mahieka was seen playing the doting girlfriend as she joined Hardik to celebrate on the field. The beauty was seen proudly flaunting…

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Vande Bharat to E. coli: What CAG found behind Indian Railways’ big makeover (PTI file photo) NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is in the middle of one of its biggest modernisation drives, spanning station redevelopment, new trains, electrification and record capital investment. A recent CAG audit, however, shows that alongside this expansion, gaps remain in some of the most basic passenger amenities at stations.For years now, the story of Indian Railways has been told through images of transformation.There are sleek Vande Bharat trains gliding out of revamped stations, glossy artist’s impressions of redeveloped railway hubs, new concourses, lifts, escalators and futuristic terminals. The government has steadily raised capital expenditure on the national transporter, presenting the Railways as one of the central pillars of country’s infrastructure push.The makeover is visible. But the latest audit findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India show that ensuring basic passenger amenities remain available and functional across the network continues to be an important part of that transformation.In a report tabled in Parliament on August 12, the CAG examined passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations and found significant gaps in the basics. Of 512 stations covered by the audit, 458 had deficiencies in one or more essential passenger amenities. Water samples collected from coolers at eight stations were found contaminated with E. coli, a marker that raises serious concerns about faecal contamination and water safety.Amenities gap at railway stations (Source: CAG)The latest CAG reports, including those on passenger amenities, railway finances and compliance, raise a larger question about the makeover that we keep talking about: Is the transformation merely about building new assets, or is it also about making the everyday railway experience safer, cleaner, more reliable and financially sustainable?What the CAG found at railway stationsIndian Railways is not a conventional transport system. It is the daily infrastructure of a country on the move.Millions pass through its stations not as occasional tourists but as workers, students, migrants, families and small traders. For many, the railway journey begins long before boarding a train. It begins with finding the platform, locating a toilet, getting drinking water, sitting in a waiting area and navigating a crowded station.That is precisely where the latest audit becomes very important.The CAG’s Report No. 31 of 2026, focused on passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations, was tabled on August 12.The findings suggest that while major infrastructure projects may dominate the narrative around railway modernisation, there continues to be significant variation in the availability of basic passenger amenities across the stations examined.The audit found deficiencies at nearly nine out of every 10 stations examined.The gaps ranged across basic amenities such as toilets, urinals and drinking-water facilities. In other words, the issue was not necessarily the absence of a grand redevelopment plan. It was ensuring that facilities passengers encounter every day are available and functional consistently.The audit underlines that station modernisation has two components: creating new infrastructure and ensuring that routine passenger amenities remain available and functional.Water quality emerges as a key concernPerhaps the most striking finding in the audit concerns drinking water.The CAG found E. coli contamination in samples collected from water coolers at eight locations. The presence of such bacteria raises concerns because contaminated drinking water can pose a serious public-health risk.The finding was particularly important because access to safe water is among the most basic services expected at a railway station.The finding has now prompted a special response from Indian Railways.The Railways has launched a special drive to clean and disinfect drinking-water tanks and filters. Zonal Railways have also been advised to undertake comprehensive inspections of drinking-water infrastructure and rectify deficiencies wherever they are found.Importantly, the exercise is not being limited to a one-time cleaning drive. The Railways has directed that station-wise deficiencies and the action taken to address them be monitored.That changes the nature of the response.The issue is no longer simply whether a station has a drinking-water facility. The bigger question is whether the entire system behind that facility, tanks, filters, pipelines, coolers and monitoring, is functioning properly and delivering safe water consistently.It is a crucial distinction.A water cooler installed at a station is an infrastructure achievement. Ensuring that the water remains safe every day is a maintenance and governance challenge.The new cleaning and inspection drive also underlines the broader problem identified by the CAG.Modernisation is not simply about creating infrastructure. It is about maintaining it.A water cooler installed at a station is only as useful as the quality of the water flowing through it. A new toilet is only as useful as its cleanliness and upkeep. An escalator that frequently stops working or a waiting hall that is not maintained does not become useful merely because the infrastructure exists.The challenge for Indian Railways is increasingly shifting from construction to maintenance.The missing link in the makeoverIndia’s railway modernisation programme has been built around large numbers.New lines, doubling and electrification projects, station redevelopment, signalling upgrades and new rolling stock have become the visible markers of the transformation.The latest financial audit, Report No. 30 of 2026, was also tabled on August 12 and examines the finances of the ministry of Railways for the year ended March 2025. Its significance lies in placing the makeover against the larger question of financial capacity and the resources available to sustain such an ambitious transformation.The numbers show the scale of the continuing investment push. For 2026-27, railway capital expenditure is budgeted at Rs 2.93 lakh crore, with budgetary support from the Centre expected to finance around 95% of that spending.This represents a fundamental shift in how railway modernisation is being financed.The network is no longer relying only on internally generated resources to fund its massive expansion and upgrade plans. Government support has become the financial backbone of the capital programme.That has enabled Indian Railways to build faster. At the same time, the growing asset base makes maintenance, upgrade and efficient operation increasingly important.Record spending, 98.4% operating ratioThe answer lies partly in the operating ratio, a measure of how much of every rupee earned is consumed by working expenses. A lower operating ratio leaves more room for investment and financial flexibility.For 2026-27, the operating ratio is budgeted at 98.4%, after a revised estimate of 98.8% for 2025-26, as reported by Parliament and PRS Legislative Research.The margin remains narrow.The modernisation drive is also being supported by a substantial increase in central budgetary support. Government support is expected to finance around 95% of railway capital expenditure in 2026-27, while the operating ratio remains above 98%.Building big, maintaining betterThe CAG’s findings bring an old problem into a new context.The audit places renewed focus on maintenance, an increasingly important issue as the Railways adds and upgrades infrastructure across a very large network.The transformation of Indian Railways will not be judged only by whether a station redevelopment project is completed on schedule. It will also be judged years later by whether the facilities created continue to work as intended.The CAG examined precisely these everyday indicators — drinking water, toilets and urinals, seating, platform shelters, accessibility and sanitation — making the report as much about service quality as infrastructure availability.The findings highlight the importance of pairing asset creation with regular maintenance, inspection and service monitoring.The former is visible. It can be photographed, inaugurated and counted.The latter is harder. It requires regular inspection, accountability, maintenance contracts, quality checks and systems that continue to work long after the inaugural ceremony.The Railways’ latest drinking-water drive points in that direction. The focus on comprehensive inspection, rectification and station-wise monitoring suggests an attempt to make maintenance more systematic rather than waiting for individual problems to surface.The real test will be whether that monitoring continues after the immediate response to the audit findings.The challenge of maintaining standards across a vast networkThe latest findings also underline the challenge of ensuring uniform service standards across a railway network of India’s scale.At one level are the flagship projects: High-profile trains, major stations and corridors receiving substantial investment. These are the symbols that shape public perception of a changing railway system.At another level are hundreds of ordinary stations where the provision and upkeep of basic amenities remain equally important.The CAG’s examination of 512 stations and its finding of deficiencies at 458 suggests that ensuring minimum standards consistently across the network remains a work in progress.That is where the true test of the makeover lies.Indian Railways is too large and too geographically diverse for transformation to be measured only through a handful of showcase projects. The success of the modernisation programme will depend on whether improvements can eventually become the standard across the network rather than remain concentrated at major stations.The passenger boarding from a smaller city experiences the Railways through the condition of the local station.That station is where the promise of transformation ultimately becomes visible.A financial makeover still in progressThe railway modernisation programme is also taking place against a difficult financial backdrop.Passenger and freight revenues remain central to the financial health of the system. Yet recent budget analysis has pointed to revenue estimates falling short of targets, even as the Railways continues to undertake large capital investments.According to the 2026-27 analysis by PRS Legislative Research, freight revenue in 2025-26 was estimated to be 5.1% below the budget estimate, while passenger revenue was expected to fall short by 13.8%.Freight down, passenger revenue misses targetThis does not mean that the railway transformation has stalled. Far from it. The scale of capital expenditure remains historically high.It does mean, however, that central budgetary support remains a major pillar of the current modernisation programme.The question is whether the investments being made today will eventually create a more efficient railway system, one that can carry more freight, attract more passengers, reduce congestion and improve revenue generation.That is the economic logic behind modernisation.The CAG’s latest findings add another dimension: modernisation must also ensure that spending translates into reliable passenger amenities and services.The real makeover begins after inaugurationThere is another lesson in the CAG audit.One of the most important parts of railway transformation is creating systems capable of looking after the infrastructure once it is built.A station redevelopment project has a beginning and an end. A maintenance programme does not.It requires continuous supervision.The Railways’ decision to launch a special drive for cleaning and disinfecting drinking-water tanks and filters, inspect infrastructure and monitor station-wise deficiencies is therefore significant.The Railways will now have to ensure that the response goes beyond corrective action after contamination is detected. The larger goal is preventive systems, regular water testing, routine cleaning and disinfection, replacement of ageing infrastructure, clear responsibility for sanitation, and stronger monitoring of passenger amenities.The same principle applies across the network.Modernisation must become a process rather than an event.The CAG’s findings have arrived at an important moment because Indian Railways is entering a phase where the story can no longer be told only through the scale of capital expenditure. The network has already seen major investments and ambitious announcements.The next question is whether these investments are producing a railway that works better every day.From showcase projects to everyday reliabilityThere is no doubt that Indian Railways is changing.The infrastructure pipeline is enormous. Capital spending remains high. Stations and trains look different from what they did a decade ago. Electrification, new corridors and capacity expansion are reshaping the network.The CAG audit does not erase those changes.Instead, it adds another dimension to the modernisation story: the importance of ensuring that basic passenger services improve alongside major infrastructure creation.A transformed railway will ultimately be judged both by its new assets and by the consistency with which its everyday facilities work.It must be judged by outcomes.The latest audit reports offer precisely that reminder.The CAG’s passenger amenities report was tabled in Parliament on August 12, alongside the latest reports on railway finances and compliance. Together, they offer a snapshot of a system undergoing one of its most ambitious periods of investment while still grappling with persistent questions of service delivery, maintenance and financial sustainability.Record capex, heavy government support: The financial reality behind Railways’ makeoverThe new drinking-water drive shows that the Railways is responding to at least one of those concerns. But whether the effort translates into consistently safer and better-maintained facilities across stations will determine its real impact.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe railway makeover, in other words, is real. But seems unfinished.The CAG report does not negate the scale of the transformation underway in Indian Railways. Capital investment remains at record levels, stations are being redeveloped and capacity is expanding. What the audit adds to that picture is a reminder that the next phase of modernisation will also depend on maintenance, consistency and ensuring that facilities already created remain functional, accessible and safe.The Railways’ response to the water-quality findings, including inspections, filtration upgrades and station-wise monitoring, shows that corrective action has begun. The larger test will be whether these systems can help close the remaining amenity gaps across a network that serves millions of passengers every day.For millions of passengers, transformation will ultimately mean something simple: a clean station, a functioning toilet, safe drinking water and a journey in which the infrastructure created for them continues to work as intended.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government DocumentsWhy A Supreme Court Judge Wants The Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Transferred?18 Rounds, Point-Blank: How Haryanvi Singer Ankit Balyan Was Gunned Down Outside Gym In UPIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’123Photostories7 houseplants that may help keep mosquitoes away: From basil to mintCan infections such as mumps affect male fertility years later?Psychology says why the sibling you couldn’t stand as a child can become the person you trust most as an adultFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right way123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderDelhi MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Vande Bharat to E. coli: What CAG found behind Indian Railways’ big makeover (PTI file photo) NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is in the middle of one of its biggest modernisation drives, spanning station redevelopment, new trains, electrification and record capital investment. A recent CAG audit, however, shows that alongside this expansion, gaps remain in some of the most basic passenger amenities at stations.For years now, the story of Indian Railways has been told through images of transformation.There are sleek Vande Bharat trains gliding out of revamped stations, glossy artist’s impressions of redeveloped railway hubs, new concourses, lifts, escalators and futuristic terminals. The government has steadily raised capital expenditure on the national transporter, presenting the Railways as one of the central pillars of country’s infrastructure push.The makeover is visible. But the latest audit findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India show that ensuring basic passenger amenities remain available and functional across the network continues to be an important part of that transformation.In a report tabled in Parliament on August 12, the CAG examined passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations and found significant gaps in the basics. Of 512 stations covered by the audit, 458 had deficiencies in one or more essential passenger amenities. Water samples collected from coolers at eight stations were found contaminated with E. coli, a marker that raises serious concerns about faecal contamination and water safety.Amenities gap at railway stations (Source: CAG)The latest CAG reports, including those on passenger amenities, railway finances and compliance, raise a larger question about the makeover that we keep talking about: Is the transformation merely about building new assets, or is it also about making the everyday railway experience safer, cleaner, more reliable and financially sustainable?What the CAG found at railway stationsIndian Railways is not a conventional transport system. It is the daily infrastructure of a country on the move.Millions pass through its stations not as occasional tourists but as workers, students, migrants, families and small traders. For many, the railway journey begins long before boarding a train. It begins with finding the platform, locating a toilet, getting drinking water, sitting in a waiting area and navigating a crowded station.That is precisely where the latest audit becomes very important.The CAG’s Report No. 31 of 2026, focused on passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations, was tabled on August 12.The findings suggest that while major infrastructure projects may dominate the narrative around railway modernisation, there continues to be significant variation in the availability of basic passenger amenities across the stations examined.The audit found deficiencies at nearly nine out of every 10 stations examined.The gaps ranged across basic amenities such as toilets, urinals and drinking-water facilities. In other words, the issue was not necessarily the absence of a grand redevelopment plan. It was ensuring that facilities passengers encounter every day are available and functional consistently.The audit underlines that station modernisation has two components: creating new infrastructure and ensuring that routine passenger amenities remain available and functional.Water quality emerges as a key concernPerhaps the most striking finding in the audit concerns drinking water.The CAG found E. coli contamination in samples collected from water coolers at eight locations. The presence of such bacteria raises concerns because contaminated drinking water can pose a serious public-health risk.The finding was particularly important because access to safe water is among the most basic services expected at a railway station.The finding has now prompted a special response from Indian Railways.The Railways has launched a special drive to clean and disinfect drinking-water tanks and filters. Zonal Railways have also been advised to undertake comprehensive inspections of drinking-water infrastructure and rectify deficiencies wherever they are found.Importantly, the exercise is not being limited to a one-time cleaning drive. The Railways has directed that station-wise deficiencies and the action taken to address them be monitored.That changes the nature of the response.The issue is no longer simply whether a station has a drinking-water facility. The bigger question is whether the entire system behind that facility, tanks, filters, pipelines, coolers and monitoring, is functioning properly and delivering safe water consistently.It is a crucial distinction.A water cooler installed at a station is an infrastructure achievement. Ensuring that the water remains safe every day is a maintenance and governance challenge.The new cleaning and inspection drive also underlines the broader problem identified by the CAG.Modernisation is not simply about creating infrastructure. It is about maintaining it.A water cooler installed at a station is only as useful as the quality of the water flowing through it. A new toilet is only as useful as its cleanliness and upkeep. An escalator that frequently stops working or a waiting hall that is not maintained does not become useful merely because the infrastructure exists.The challenge for Indian Railways is increasingly shifting from construction to maintenance.The missing link in the makeoverIndia’s railway modernisation programme has been built around large numbers.New lines, doubling and electrification projects, station redevelopment, signalling upgrades and new rolling stock have become the visible markers of the transformation.The latest financial audit, Report No. 30 of 2026, was also tabled on August 12 and examines the finances of the ministry of Railways for the year ended March 2025. Its significance lies in placing the makeover against the larger question of financial capacity and the resources available to sustain such an ambitious transformation.The numbers show the scale of the continuing investment push. For 2026-27, railway capital expenditure is budgeted at Rs 2.93 lakh crore, with budgetary support from the Centre expected to finance around 95% of that spending.This represents a fundamental shift in how railway modernisation is being financed.The network is no longer relying only on internally generated resources to fund its massive expansion and upgrade plans. Government support has become the financial backbone of the capital programme.That has enabled Indian Railways to build faster. At the same time, the growing asset base makes maintenance, upgrade and efficient operation increasingly important.Record spending, 98.4% operating ratioThe answer lies partly in the operating ratio, a measure of how much of every rupee earned is consumed by working expenses. A lower operating ratio leaves more room for investment and financial flexibility.For 2026-27, the operating ratio is budgeted at 98.4%, after a revised estimate of 98.8% for 2025-26, as reported by Parliament and PRS Legislative Research.The margin remains narrow.The modernisation drive is also being supported by a substantial increase in central budgetary support. Government support is expected to finance around 95% of railway capital expenditure in 2026-27, while the operating ratio remains above 98%.Building big, maintaining betterThe CAG’s findings bring an old problem into a new context.The audit places renewed focus on maintenance, an increasingly important issue as the Railways adds and upgrades infrastructure across a very large network.The transformation of Indian Railways will not be judged only by whether a station redevelopment project is completed on schedule. It will also be judged years later by whether the facilities created continue to work as intended.The CAG examined precisely these everyday indicators — drinking water, toilets and urinals, seating, platform shelters, accessibility and sanitation — making the report as much about service quality as infrastructure availability.The findings highlight the importance of pairing asset creation with regular maintenance, inspection and service monitoring.The former is visible. It can be photographed, inaugurated and counted.The latter is harder. It requires regular inspection, accountability, maintenance contracts, quality checks and systems that continue to work long after the inaugural ceremony.The Railways’ latest drinking-water drive points in that direction. The focus on comprehensive inspection, rectification and station-wise monitoring suggests an attempt to make maintenance more systematic rather than waiting for individual problems to surface.The real test will be whether that monitoring continues after the immediate response to the audit findings.The challenge of maintaining standards across a vast networkThe latest findings also underline the challenge of ensuring uniform service standards across a railway network of India’s scale.At one level are the flagship projects: High-profile trains, major stations and corridors receiving substantial investment. These are the symbols that shape public perception of a changing railway system.At another level are hundreds of ordinary stations where the provision and upkeep of basic amenities remain equally important.The CAG’s examination of 512 stations and its finding of deficiencies at 458 suggests that ensuring minimum standards consistently across the network remains a work in progress.That is where the true test of the makeover lies.Indian Railways is too large and too geographically diverse for transformation to be measured only through a handful of showcase projects. The success of the modernisation programme will depend on whether improvements can eventually become the standard across the network rather than remain concentrated at major stations.The passenger boarding from a smaller city experiences the Railways through the condition of the local station.That station is where the promise of transformation ultimately becomes visible.A financial makeover still in progressThe railway modernisation programme is also taking place against a difficult financial backdrop.Passenger and freight revenues remain central to the financial health of the system. Yet recent budget analysis has pointed to revenue estimates falling short of targets, even as the Railways continues to undertake large capital investments.According to the 2026-27 analysis by PRS Legislative Research, freight revenue in 2025-26 was estimated to be 5.1% below the budget estimate, while passenger revenue was expected to fall short by 13.8%.Freight down, passenger revenue misses targetThis does not mean that the railway transformation has stalled. Far from it. The scale of capital expenditure remains historically high.It does mean, however, that central budgetary support remains a major pillar of the current modernisation programme.The question is whether the investments being made today will eventually create a more efficient railway system, one that can carry more freight, attract more passengers, reduce congestion and improve revenue generation.That is the economic logic behind modernisation.The CAG’s latest findings add another dimension: modernisation must also ensure that spending translates into reliable passenger amenities and services.The real makeover begins after inaugurationThere is another lesson in the CAG audit.One of the most important parts of railway transformation is creating systems capable of looking after the infrastructure once it is built.A station redevelopment project has a beginning and an end. A maintenance programme does not.It requires continuous supervision.The Railways’ decision to launch a special drive for cleaning and disinfecting drinking-water tanks and filters, inspect infrastructure and monitor station-wise deficiencies is therefore significant.The Railways will now have to ensure that the response goes beyond corrective action after contamination is detected. The larger goal is preventive systems, regular water testing, routine cleaning and disinfection, replacement of ageing infrastructure, clear responsibility for sanitation, and stronger monitoring of passenger amenities.The same principle applies across the network.Modernisation must become a process rather than an event.The CAG’s findings have arrived at an important moment because Indian Railways is entering a phase where the story can no longer be told only through the scale of capital expenditure. The network has already seen major investments and ambitious announcements.The next question is whether these investments are producing a railway that works better every day.From showcase projects to everyday reliabilityThere is no doubt that Indian Railways is changing.The infrastructure pipeline is enormous. Capital spending remains high. Stations and trains look different from what they did a decade ago. Electrification, new corridors and capacity expansion are reshaping the network.The CAG audit does not erase those changes.Instead, it adds another dimension to the modernisation story: the importance of ensuring that basic passenger services improve alongside major infrastructure creation.A transformed railway will ultimately be judged both by its new assets and by the consistency with which its everyday facilities work.It must be judged by outcomes.The latest audit reports offer precisely that reminder.The CAG’s passenger amenities report was tabled in Parliament on August 12, alongside the latest reports on railway finances and compliance. Together, they offer a snapshot of a system undergoing one of its most ambitious periods of investment while still grappling with persistent questions of service delivery, maintenance and financial sustainability.Record capex, heavy government support: The financial reality behind Railways’ makeoverThe new drinking-water drive shows that the Railways is responding to at least one of those concerns. But whether the effort translates into consistently safer and better-maintained facilities across stations will determine its real impact.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe railway makeover, in other words, is real. But seems unfinished.The CAG report does not negate the scale of the transformation underway in Indian Railways. Capital investment remains at record levels, stations are being redeveloped and capacity is expanding. What the audit adds to that picture is a reminder that the next phase of modernisation will also depend on maintenance, consistency and ensuring that facilities already created remain functional, accessible and safe.The Railways’ response to the water-quality findings, including inspections, filtration upgrades and station-wise monitoring, shows that corrective action has begun. The larger test will be whether these systems can help close the remaining amenity gaps across a network that serves millions of passengers every day.For millions of passengers, transformation will ultimately mean something simple: a clean station, a functioning toilet, safe drinking water and a journey in which the infrastructure created for them continues to work as intended.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news desk. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence developments, and the shifting currents of geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFake IAS Officer Tripti Rajput Under Probe, Police Recover CBI Cards And Government DocumentsWhy A Supreme Court Judge Wants The Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Transferred?18 Rounds, Point-Blank: How Haryanvi Singer Ankit Balyan Was Gunned Down Outside Gym In UPIndia-China Talks Yield 8-Point Consensus; New Military Hotlines, Border Talks On The TableSkardu Base Was India’s Target During Operation Sindoor, Ex-CDS Reveals Why Strike Was Aborted’Gone In Seconds’: Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Missing, 77 Isha Foundation Members Among ThemSinger Mary Millben Hits Back Over ‘Anti-Modi’ Politics Over Mohan Bhagwat New York Event105 Indians Missing In Nepal Flash Floods; Tibet-Side Surge Leaves Eight Dead | Watch‘Big Reveal’ Or Big Scam? August 25 Insta Account Make Hype Sparks ₹8.5 Crore Scam Row’Hijab On Heads, Not Minds’: Owaisi Calls Allahabad High Court Ruling ‘Attack On Islam’123Photostories7 houseplants that may help keep mosquitoes away: From basil to mintCan infections such as mumps affect male fertility years later?Psychology says why the sibling you couldn’t stand as a child can become the person you trust most as an adultFrom working in Bhojpuri cinema, signing random films to pay his rent to earning Rs 1.5 lakh for one episode of Comedy Circus; When Krushna Abhishek opened up about his journeyLoro Piana to Zegna: Lesser-known luxury sneaker brands the old-money tribe knows by heart10 baby boy names with powerful meanings and fascinating ancient rootsIntuition or fear? 5 ways to tell what your gut is really telling youPrincess Diana’s ‘Last Ring’ from Dodi Al-Fayed: The mystery behind the ‘Dis-moi Oui’ ringRaksha Bandhan 2026: 10 beautiful mehendi designs to elevate your Rakhi lookTired of lemons going dry or mouldy? Here’s how to store them the right way123Hot PicksNepal floodUPTET Result 2026Sunny LeoneKerala name changeRRB NTPC UG CBT 2 examAnkit Baliyan murderSridhar VembuDelhi murderNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingAnkit Balyan MurderDelhi MurderSamay RainaUdaipur HotelFlorida Car CrashUS Green Card HolderBengal HospitalTamil Nadu Son MurderKangana RanautMaharashtra Hill Tragedy

Vamsikrishna012 mins mins

Vande Bharat to E. coli: What CAG found behind Indian Railways’ big makeover (PTI file photo) NEW DELHI: Indian Railways is in the middle of one of its biggest modernisation drives, spanning station redevelopment, new trains, electrification and record capital investment. A recent CAG audit, however, shows that alongside this expansion, gaps remain in some…

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Quote of the day by Brad Pitt: ‘I don’t know if any of what we do matters in the end. What I do know that matters is people we hitch ourselves to..’

Quote of the day by Brad Pitt: ‘I don’t know if any of what we do matters in the end. What I do know that matters is people we hitch ourselves to..’

Vamsikrishna05 mins mins

During his acceptance speech at the César Awards, Brad Pitt articulated a meaningful reflection: ‘The essence of our existence is intertwined with those we connect with, leaving an indelible imprint on who we are.’ He underscored that the real value lies not in personal accolades, but in the vibrant relationships that influence our creative paths…

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