The North Central Railway’s Prayagraj Division is working to provide affordable and pure drinking water to passengers. The division will install Water Vending Machines (WVMs) at 27 railway stations. This move aims to reduce the dependence of passengers on expensive bottled water, especially at smaller stations.
What are the water prices and benefits?
Passengers can get purified RO water at very low rates. The standard price is ₹5 per liter, and there is an option for passengers to refill their own bottles. At some smaller stations, 300ml of water will be available for ₹2. This ensures that even passengers with limited budgets can access clean drinking water during their journey.
Which stations will get these machines?
The project covers several key and small stations across the division. The installation process is being managed through e-auctions to select agencies for operation and maintenance for five years. The following stations are part of this initiative:
| Station Type | Station Names |
|---|---|
| Small/Key Stations | Shankargarh, Meja Road, Monda Road, Manauri, Subedarganj |
| Major Locations | Fatehpur, Rura, Mainpuri, Pankidham, Firozabad, Aligarh, Vindhyachal, Hathras, Khurja |
What is the current status of the project?
The Prayagraj Division has already started the tender and auction process. Tenders for stations like Fatehpur and Firozabad were issued in April 2026. Following this, e-auctions were held in May 2026. The most recent update confirms another round of online e-auctions scheduled from June 3rd to June 5th, 2026, to finalize the installation of these machines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the cost of water from these machines?
Pure RO water will be available at ₹5 per liter. For smaller quantities, 300ml of water is priced at ₹2.
How many stations in Prayagraj Division will get WVMs?
The North Central Railway plans to install these machines at 27 stations, including smaller ones like Shankargarh and Meja Road.