Indian Railways has initiated a comprehensive nationwide sanitization and quality assurance campaign focused on drinking water to improve passenger health and safety across the network. Initiated in mid-August 2026 under the direction of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, this crucial drive directly addresses systemic failures and the presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli in station water coolers as highlighted by a recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of over 512 stations. The project mandates rigorous testing from source to consumption across borewells, handpumps, overhead tanks, taps, and water coolers to ensure safe drinking water for millions of daily travellers.
Zonal Railways are tasked with inspecting all water sources, purification plants, and distribution centers as part of this massive hygiene overhaul. Notably, the Northern Railway's Lucknow division commenced a
15-day intensive health and drinking water quality inspection on August 20, 2026. To upgrade existing facilities, the ministry plans to install modern
tank-to-tap filtration and monitoring systems at approximately 20,000 locations. Key ground measures include the replacement of dilapidated tanks, the secure sealing of tank lids to prevent contamination from pests or birds, and the mandatory daily monitoring of residual chlorine levels to guarantee purity.
The scope of this special cleanliness and safety campaign extends well beyond passenger platforms to encompass railway residential colonies and workplaces, ensuring a standardized approach to public health. The Railway Board is maintaining direct oversight of the entire drive, holding local officials fully accountable for resolving station-specific deficiencies noted in the CAG report. Through these proactive infrastructure upgrades and strict daily testing protocols, the Ministry of Railways is taking definitive steps to resolve past shortcomings and significantly elevate the overall passenger experience across the entire national network.
