Indian Railways has commenced a special cleanliness initiative aimed at improving the quality of drinking water across its network. This initiative focuses on the cleaning and disinfection of drinking water tanks and filtration systems at various railway stations to provide safe and hygienic drinking water to passengers.

This initiative is part of a comprehensive action plan designed to reinforce water quality management within Indian Railways. The plan highlights the necessity for regular inspections and maintenance of the entire drinking water system, alongside testing water quality at both the source and point of consumer access. This approach moves away from reliance on solely end-of-pipe testing.

As part of this cleansing drive, Zonal Railways will carry out detailed inspections of all water sources, treatment and filtration plants, as well as underground and overhead tanks. This includes the cleaning and disinfection of PVC tanks, water booths, taps, and other water dispensing points to ensure continued access to clean drinking water.

Inspection and Maintenance Measures Outlined

During the drive, all drinking water tanks will undergo a thorough process of draining, desludging, scrubbing, and disinfecting. Preventive measures will be implemented to ensure that tanks have secure covers and that vents and overflow points are protected against birds, animals, and algae.

The undertaking will also identify any deficiencies that necessitate corrective actions. Instances of damaged tanks, pipelines, and filters will be repaired or replaced, thereby ensuring there are no cross-connections between potable and non-potable water systems. Further, all piping within the drinking water circuit will be examined for leaks, and necessary corrections will be made to mitigate water wastage.

Special scrutiny will be directed toward locations that rely on hand pumps and borewells for drinking water extraction, ensuring that the water sourced from these systems is uncontaminated and safe for public use.

Broadening Scope of Cleaning and Quality Checking

The Railway Board has advised Zonal Railways to conduct exhaustive inspections of water coolers and purification systems as part of the wider action plan. This includes comprehensive cleaning of water tanks in coolers and the prompt addressing of leakages in coolers, pipelines, and taps to enhance hygiene in those areas.

Additionally, ultraviolet (UV) and reverse osmosis (RO) purification systems for water coolers will be reviewed for functioning efficiency, and reinstatements will be executed wherever necessary. Scheduled maintenance and timely replacement of filter components will be ensured to support these systems’ integrity.

Water Vending Machines will also be subjected to the prescribed cleaning, purification, and quality monitoring measures, assuring that the water dispensed from these facilities adheres to safety and hygiene standards. Officials will be involved in physical, chemical, and bacteriological testing of water samples from various points across the supply chain.

Monitoring will include daily residual chlorine assessments, with immediate corrective actions as needed. The Railway Board has instructed Zonal Railways to expedite ongoing works for the replacement and construction of new overhead and underground tanks, and a comprehensive summary of these projects will be compiled.

Through this coordinated effort, Indian Railways continues to strengthen inspection protocols, maintenance activities, and quality testing mechanisms to provide safe drinking water for both passengers and Railway staff. The drive extends its focus on maintaining hygienic standards beyond passenger areas to include railway colonies and workplaces.

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