The Public Accounts Committee is currently examining serious lapses by the national transporter relating to passenger amenities that were highlighted during a recent audit. Passengers across the country continue to face challenges regarding basic facilities at railway stations and onboard trains. The panel has directed railway authorities to fix these shortcomings promptly. Public Accounts Committee chairperson KC Venugopal stated that the panel is examining serious lapses by Railways relating to passenger amenities found during audit. A meeting will be called again with Railway Ministry officials after a month to see if the shortcoming related to drinking water had been addressed. Auditors observed serious discrepancies on the part of Railways relating to facilities such as drinking water, seating arrangements, fans and platform roof. Railways had assured a decade back that drinking water would be provided everywhere, but hundreds of stations do not still have this basic facility.
The Public Accounts Committee chaired by KC Venugopal reviewed the subject of passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations in Indian Railways based on C and AG Report Number 31 of 2026. Representatives of the Ministry of Railways, including the Railway Board, provided oral evidence to the committee during this crucial session in New Delhi. Venugopal highlighted that this is not an isolated observation. Multiple audit reports in the past have pointed out similar shortcomings, yet basic infrastructure issues persist. The committee noted that facilities must also include ease of ticket availability and ATM counters. Furthermore, critical concerns were raised regarding the lack of specialized infrastructure, such as toilet facilities for Divyangjans at both smaller and bigger railway stations as well as inside trains.
The committee has set a strict timeline for the railway administration to take corrective action.
Within one month, these discrepancies must be addressed by the authorities. After this period, the parliamentary panel will reconvene with railway officials to assess the progress made in resolving drinking water shortages and other amenity gaps. Additionally, the PAC meeting addressed the upcoming Conference of Chairpersons of the PAC of Parliament of India and State and UT Legislatures. The final theme for the conference will be announced soon, and the event is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on November 3 and 4.
