Safe Drinking Water Mission: Indian Railways Launches Massive Nationwide Cleanliness Drive
Indian Railways has initiated a large-scale nationwide campaign to guarantee the availability of clean and safe drinking water for passengers throughout its vast network. This decisive move follows a critical audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) regarding the quality of water provided at railway stations.
Part of Swachhta Hi Seva 2026
This intensive mission is integrated into the broader "Swachhta Hi Seva 2026" campaign, which is scheduled to run from September 17 to October 2, 2026. Operating under the theme 'Swachhta mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat', the initiative aims to elevate hygiene standards across all railway premises.
Rigorous Monitoring and Testing Protocols
To ensure the highest safety standards, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has issued strict directives for quality control. The mission involves several layers of oversight:
- Comprehensive Testing: Mandatory physical, chemical, and bacteriological testing of water samples collected from various sources, including filtration systems and vending machines.
- Daily Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of residual chlorine levels to maintain safety.
- Immediate Action: Any water sample failing to meet established safety standards will trigger immediate corrective measures.
Massive Scale of Operations
The scale of this cleanliness drive is immense, targeting infrastructure at hundreds of locations to ensure passenger safety:
- Station Focus: Rigorous monitoring is being conducted at 284 key stations.
- Sanitization: Deep cleaning and disinfection of 9,850 water taps and booths.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Sealing of water tanks, installation of protective iron mesh on open water sources, and the mission-mode replacement of aging filtration components.
Zonal Progress and Targeted Efforts
Various railway zones are already making significant strides in implementing these directives:
- Central Railway: Planning to upgrade filtration systems at 20,000 different locations.
- North Western Railway: Has already cleaned 18,664 water tanks and completed over 5,000 residual chlorination tests.
- Delhi and Malda Divisions: Have launched targeted campaigns to inspect storage tanks, repair essential infrastructure, and service RO systems to prevent any potential contamination.