Archive · 19 Sep 2026
PAC To Probe Mumbai Railways' Water And Sanitation Gaps
A government committee will question railway officials about problems at stations in Mumbai.
The questions are based on an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The audit found E-coli and other bacteria in some water samples from drinking outlets and coolers.
This means some water may not have been safe for passengers.
The committee will ask how often the water is tested and who declares it safe.
It will also examine poor sanitation and missing passenger facilities.
Auditors inspected 512 stations and found problems at 458 of them.
Railway authorities have been asked to explain what went wrong and what they are doing to fix it.
The Public Accounts Committee will meet railway officials in Mumbai on September 23 to examine passenger amenities and sanitation.
The meeting follows a Comptroller and Auditor General audit that found E-coli and other coliform bacteria in some drinking-water samples.
The committee will seek details on water-testing frequency, safety certification and action taken after failed samples.
The audit found that 458 of 512 inspected stations lacked one or more prescribed Minimum Essential Amenities.
The Railway Ministry, Central Railway and Western Railway must submit written replies to the committee's concerns.
- Who
- The Public Accounts Committee, the Railway Ministry, Central Railway and Western Railway officials.
- What
- The committee will examine water contamination, sanitation gaps and deficiencies in passenger amenities.
- When
- September 23, during an informal PAC discussion for 2026-27 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- Why
- A Comptroller and Auditor General audit flagged unsafe water samples and deficiencies in passenger facilities at railway stations.
- Meeting body
- Public Accounts Committee
- Meeting date
- September 23
- Audit report
- C&AG Report No. 31 of 2026
- Stations inspected
- 512
- Stations with deficiencies
- 458
- Water concerns
- E-coli, total coliform bacteria and inadequate testing for chlorine and other parameters
- Written replies requested from
- The Railway Ministry, Central Railway and Western Railway