Indian Railways Launches Nationwide Campaign to Clean Station Water Tanks
Indian Railways has launched a nationwide campaign to clean and disinfect water tanks and filtration systems at railway stations to ensure passengers get safe drinking water. This major drive started across the network on August 24 and 25, 2026, following a CAG report that found harmful bacteria like E. coli in water samples at several stations. This initiative aims to improve drinking water safety and management across the entire railway network.
Indian Railways began a nationwide station water tank cleaning campaign on August 24 and 25, 2026.
The drive addresses a CAG report that found harmful bacteria like E. coli in station water samples.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered immediate corrective measures after a high-level review.
Approximately 20000 locations will receive new tank-to-tap filtration systems.
Comprehensive Cleaning and Network-Wide Overhaul
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with the Chairman of the Railway Board and senior officials, ordered these corrective steps following a detailed review meeting. The ongoing campaign requires complete inspection and maintenance of all drinking water infrastructure. This covers source water, treatment plants, underground and overhead storage tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps, and distribution networks.
All storage tanks are being completely emptied, de-silted, cleaned, and disinfected. Workers are also fixing infrastructure problems like broken pipelines and faulty tank covers that could let in pests or algae. Furthermore, the Railway Board has directed zonal offices to speed up replacing old tanks and building new ones where needed.
Targeted Drives and Advanced Monitoring
To ensure local efficiency, railway authorities have launched specific operational updates. Dedicated 14-day drives are underway in the Varanasi and Samastipur divisions, focusing heavily on chemical testing and infrastructure repairs. Ongoing inspections are also active in locations like Chandigarh and Azamgarh as of August 25, 2026.
To secure long-term safety, about 20000 locations across the network will feature new tank-to-tap filtration systems. Dharmendra Tiwari, Additional Director General for Public Relations at Indian Railways, noted that the plan focuses on regular testing at both water sources and points of consumption. Additionally, a centralized monitoring system is being rolled out to maintain strict accountability, with the Railway Board directly reviewing station-wise data on all corrective actions.