Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Railways Launch 10-Day Water Cooler Inspection Drive After CAG Findings
India’s Railways is checking drinking-water machines at stations after an audit found harmful E. coli bacteria in some samples.
The inspection will last 10 days and cover water coolers and purification systems.
Workers will clean the tanks and look for rust, leaks and broken parts.
They will also check whether lids and seals keep the tanks closed properly.
Leaking taps, pipes or coolers must be fixed quickly.
Broken or dirty coolers must be taken out of use.
Machines that cannot be repaired may be replaced.
Officials will continue checking the equipment after the 10-day campaign and report what they have done.
The Railway Board ordered a 10-day nationwide inspection of station water coolers and UV-RO purification systems.
A CAG audit found E. coli in drinking-water samples from four Central Railway stations.
Officials must clean tanks, check for defects, repair leaks and examine lids and gaskets.
Defective or unhygienic coolers must be removed from service, while irreparable units should be replaced.
The campaign will be followed by scheduled inspections, maintenance, record-keeping and compliance reports.
- Who
- The Railway Board, zonal railways and production units are carrying out the inspections after findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
- What
- A 10-day special drive will inspect railway-station water coolers and UV-RO purification systems and address defects and hygiene problems.
- When
- The drive was ordered days after the CAG audit findings and will last 10 days, followed by regular inspections.
- Where
- The inspections will take place at railway stations and facilities across the country; E. coli was found at four Central Railway stations: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala.
- Why
- The campaign follows audit findings about E. coli contamination, inadequate water-quality testing and inconsistent periodic inspections.
- Inspection duration
- 10 days
- Equipment covered
- Water coolers and UV-RO purification systems
- Stations with E. coli findings
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala
- Required maintenance
- Tank cleaning, defect checks, leak repairs, servicing and timely filter replacement
- Defective equipment
- Damaged or unhygienic coolers must be removed; irreparable units should be replaced
- Follow-up
- Regular scheduled inspections, maintenance records and compliance reports to the Railway Board