Certain strains of E.Coli can cause illnesses including diarrhoea and food poisoning and, in severe cases, kidney complications.
The CAG report, which examined passenger amenities at 512 non-suburban group (NSG) stations across railway zones, said water samples collected from coolers tested positive for E.Coli at eight stations. Apart from Hyderabad under SCR, these included Coimbatore and Palakkad Junction under Southern Railway; Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala under Central Railway; and Madhupur under Eastern Railway.
The findings were not confined to water coolers. Tests on drinking water collected from platform taps at 49 stations across eight zones in 2022-23 and 56 stations across nine zones in 2023-24 detected total coliform bacteria, including E.Coli, the report said.
Bacteriological tests for parameters other than total coliforms were also found unsatisfactory at eight stations in four zones during 2022-23 and 11 stations in five zones during 2023-24.
The audit covered instances detected during test checks from 2019-20 to 2023-24, besides earlier cases that had not previously been reported and, where necessary, instances after 2023-24.
The CAG also flagged widespread deficiencies in basic passenger amenities. Of the 512 stations examined, 458 — more than 89 per cent — lacked one or more Minimum Essential Amenities (MEAs) or provided them below prescribed norms.
The Railway Board had in April 2018 directed that MEAs be provided at all stations by August 31 that year. These amenities include drinking water, waiting halls, seating, platform shelters, urinals, toilets, high-level platforms, fans, foot overbridges, dustbins, clocks and public address systems.
Even major NSG-1 stations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Howrah, Sealdah, New Delhi and Mumbai Central were found deficient in amenities such as seating, sanitary facilities, dustbins and electronic train indicator boards.
An analysis of the Passenger Amenities Management System also showed shortages of latrines at 201 stations, urinals at 403 stations and drinking water taps at 2,035 stations.
The CAG recommended that the Railways ensure compliance with prescribed inspection protocols for water supply systems and carry out comprehensive testing of drinking water against all parameters stipulated under the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol.
Indian Railways has 5,908 NSG stations. In 2023-24, it operated more than 7,424 non-suburban passenger trains daily and carried 292.4 crore non-suburban passengers.
E.Coli in railway water coolers
• Hyderabad — South Central Railway
• Coimbatore — Southern Railway
• Palakkad Junction — Southern Railway
• CSMT — Central Railway
• Bhiwandi Road — Central Railway
• Kalyan — Central Railway
• Lonavala — Central Railway
• Madhupur — Eastern Railway
Amenity Shortfalls
512 stations audited
458 stations lacked one or more Minimum Essential Amenities
That is more than 89% of stations inspected
Shortage of latrines at 201 stations
Shortage of urinals at 403 stations
Shortage of water taps at 2,035 stations
