E. coli in water, missing toilets, dustbins: CAG flags basic amenities gap at Delhi, Mumbai stations

E. coli, a bacteria commonly associated with human and animal waste, was detected in drinking water samples collected from railway stations across several zones, according to a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.

The affected stations included Coimbatore and Palakkad in Southern Railway, Hyderabad in South Central Railway, four stations in Central Railway — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala — and Madhupur in Eastern Railway.

The audit covered passenger services at 512 non-suburban grade stations across Indian Railways. Drinking water samples collected from taps at 49 stations across eight zones in 2022-23 and 56 stations across nine zones in 2023-24 showed the presence of total coliform bacteria, including E. coli, the report said.

Certain strains of E. coli can cause food poisoning and diarrhoea and, in severe cases, may lead to kidney failure.

90% stations lacked essential amenities

The CAG audit also found that 458 of the 512 stations examined — nearly 90% — were deficient in Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA).

The Railway Board had issued guidelines in April 2018 requiring all stations, irrespective of category, to provide MEAs by August 31, 2018. These included drinking water, waiting halls, seating, platform shelters, toilets, high-level platforms, fans, foot overbridges, dustbins, clocks and public address systems.

Indian Railways categorises non-suburban stations from NSG-1 to NSG-6 based on their importance and passenger revenue. NSG-1 stations are the highest category and include major railway hubs.

The audit found deficiencies even at prominent NSG-1 stations, including Mumbai Central, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Howrah, Sealdah and New Delhi. Shortcomings included inadequate seating, sanitation facilities, dustbins and electronic indicator boards.

The CAG recommended stricter compliance with inspection protocols for water supply systems and comprehensive testing of drinking water quality, including all parameters prescribed under the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol.