E. coli found in railway station drinking water, CAG flags norm violations (Image generated using AI)The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged violations of water quality norms after E. coli bacteria was found in water samples collected from water coolers at multiple railway stations. The findings have raised concerns about water quality and passenger safety.In a recent report titled ‘Passenger Amenities and Sanitation at Non-Suburban Railway Stations in Indian Railways’, the CAG said E. coli bacteria was detected in drinking water samples collected from eight railway stations out of 49 stations, including several Mumbai local stations. Other stations were the sample discovered the contamination were those in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand.“Inspection of the water supply systems was not carried out as per prescribed periodicity. There was shortfall in testing of drinking water for residual chlorine, bacteriological analysis and chemical analysis. Low/high level of chlorine in drinking water, presence of total coliforms bacteria (including E-coli bacteria) as well as deficiencies in parameters tested indicated unsatisfactory quality of drinking water at stations. Tests prescribed in the ‘Uniform Drinking Water Quality protocol’ were not carried out for several parameters,” the report said.Also Read | Kerala’s 3rd Vande Bharat Express upgraded to 16 coaches after 9 months: Check routeE. coli found in drinking water at 8 railway stationsThe CAG report found E. coli in water cooler samples at eight railway stations. These included Coimbatore and Palakkad Junction 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.Drinking water tests found lacking at several railway stationsThe audit also found total coliform bacteria, including E. coli, in drinking water samples collected from platform taps at 49 stations across eight railway zones in 2022-23 and 56 stations across nine zones in 2023-24.Further, bacteriological tests other than total coliforms were found to be unsatisfactory at eight stations across four zones in 2022-23 and 11 stations across five zones in 2023-24.The auditor also found that chemical testing of drinking water was not conducted by Health Inspectors at 179 stations across 11 railway zones. At another 77 stations in six zones, the tests were not carried out as frequently as required. As per the prescribed rules, drinking water should be tested twice a year.Story continues below this adAlso Read | Railway Board approves shift of 5 trains from Howrah, Santragachi to new terminalsCAG calls for stricter drinking water checksThe CAG said the Ministry of Railways, in its reply in September 2025, stated that action had been initiated based on the audit findings. The action relates to shortcomings in the frequency of drinking water tests and unsatisfactory test results.“However, the fact that unsatisfactory test results had been reported at different locations on multiple occasions indicates that Railways needs to work out a more effective system to ensure provision of safe drinking water to passengers at all railway stations,” it said.The auditor also noted that despite significant spending on station cleaning, sanitation remained inadequate at several railway stations.CAG recommendationsThe CAG recommended that Indian Railways strictly follow the prescribed protocols for inspecting water supply systems and testing drinking water quality. It also called for comprehensive testing covering all parameters under the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol.Anish Mondal is a journalist with over nine years of experience covering the railways and roadways. Currently a member of the Indianexpress.com editorial team, Anish specializes in high-impact sectors. Professional Journey Anish began his career at the public broadcaster Rajya Sabha Television (now Sansad TV), where he developed a foundational understanding of legislative processes and national governance. In 2018, he transitioned to digital financial journalism at FinancialExpress.com, spending nearly six years refining his expertise in market trends and corporate reporting. Before joining The Indian Express in 2025, he served as a key contributor at ETNowNews.com. Education & Expertise Anish’s reporting is backed by a rigorous academic background in communication and the humanities: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC) – Apeejay Stya University Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Production (PGTVRJP) – Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication Bachelor of Arts (English Honours) – University of Calcutta Areas of Coverage Connectivity: Detailed reporting on the expansion of Indian Railways and National Highway networks. ... Read More