North Central Railway is setting up modern water vending machines at 20 railway stations, including Subedarganj, to provide affordable and purified drinking water. This initiative will help passengers get cold water at nominal prices while reducing plastic waste from single-use bottles. The installation process for a five-year contract period has already started following official announcements by the Prayagraj Division.
According to railway officials, these machines will use a five-stage reverse osmosis process to ensure pure and chilled water. This move comes as a relief for travelers who often have to depend on expensive packaged drinking water. Amit Kumar Singh, PRO of Prayagraj Division, confirmed that tenders have been issued to begin the installation work soon.
What are the rates for pure water at these machines?
The pricing for the water is designed to be very pocket-friendly for common passengers. If you carry your own bottle, you can get one liter of water for just five rupees. There are also options to buy water in smaller or larger quantities with or without a bottle provided by the machine. The rates are much lower compared to standard branded water bottles sold at shops.
| Quantity | Without Bottle | With Bottle |
|---|---|---|
| 300 ml | Rs 2 | Rs 3 |
| 500 ml | Rs 3 | Rs 5 |
| 1 Liter | Rs 5 | Rs 8 |
| 2 Liters | Rs 8 | Rs 12 |
| 5 Liters | Rs 20 | Rs 25 |
Which stations in NCR will get these vending machines?
A total of 20 stations under the Prayagraj Division will see these new installations. Subedarganj station will receive two machines to serve its passengers. Other major locations include Fatehpur with seven machines and Chunari with five machines. Kanpur Anwarganj, Firozabad, Jhinjhak, and Phaphund are also included in the list to receive multiple units.
Besides these machines, General Manager Naresh Pal Singh has supported the installation of water coolers at smaller stations across the NCR zone. This is being done to ensure that even passengers at rural and small stations have access to cold drinking water during the harsh summer months. Necessary actions are being taken to ensure facilities are ready before the peak heat begins.