2 weeks ago

CAG report: E. coli in water, only 11% stations have amenities

CAG report: E. coli in water, only 11% stations have amenities
E. coli in drinking water, just 11% stations have all basic amenities: Why CAG is concerned · indianexpress.com

A big government office called the CAG checks how things are run in India.

It looked at railway stations where people catch trains.

The CAG found that the drinking water at some stations had tiny germs called E. coli that can make people sick.

It also found that most stations do not have all the basic things passengers need, like benches, toilets, fans and clocks.

Only about 11 out of every 100 stations checked had everything they should have.

Many projects to improve stations were delayed, and money set aside for them was not fully used.

People complained more about cleanliness, water and medical help.

The railway minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said the railways will fix the problems.

They plan to add new water filters at about 20,000 places.

The railways will also check water quality more often and share reports with the public.

Key facts

Report
CAG audit of passenger amenities at railway stations
Stations inspected
512 non-suburban stations (8.66% of more than 5,900)
Stations with all MEAs
54 stations (under 11%) across 13 zones
E. coli found at
Coimbatore, Palakkad Junction, Hyderabad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan, Lonavala and Madhupur
Audit period
2019-20 to 2023-24
Annual sanitation spending
Around Rs 700 crore
Funds underutilisation
36% to 44% of budget grants for customer amenities
Corrective action
'Tank to tap' water filtration system at around 20,000 locations

Quotes

Comptroller & Auditor General

National auditor

“From now onwards, the water quality at stations will be monitored at the board level. There will be scheduled cleaning and maintenance of storage tanks. Progress and water quality reports will be published periodically to ensure transparency.”
indianexpress.com
“Chemical analysis of drinking water was not conducted by health inspectors at 179 stations in 11 zones and was not carried out as per prescribed periodicity (twice a year) at 77 stations in six zones.”
indianexpress.com

Sources

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