Railways launches special drive to ensure clean drinking water facilities

New Delhi, Aug 24 (IANS) Indian Railways has launched a special cleanliness drive across the railway network focused on cleaning and disinfection of drinking-water tanks and filtration systems to ensure the continued availability of safe and clean drinking water for passengers at railway stations, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

The initiative, which is part of a broader action plan for strengthening drinking-water quality management across Indian Railways, emphasises frequent inspection and maintenance of the entire drinking-water system, along with water-quality testing at the source as well as at the point of consumption, rather than relying solely on end-of-pipe water testing.

During the drive, Zonal Railways will undertake comprehensive inspection of water sources, treatment and filtration plants, underground and overhead tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps and water dispensing points. All drinking-water tanks will be drained, desludged, scrubbed and disinfected. Measures will also be taken to ensure tight covers and appropriate protection of vents and overflow points from birds, animals and algae, the statement said.

The drive will also identify deficiencies requiring corrective action. Damaged tanks, pipelines and filters will be repaired or replaced, wherever required, while ensuring that there is no cross-connection between potable and non-potable water systems. All piping forming part of the drinking-water circuit will also be checked for leakages and necessary corrective measures taken to prevent water wastage.

Special attention will be given to locations where hand pumps and borewells are being used for extraction of drinking water. Zonal Railways will ensure that water from such systems remains free from contamination and is safe for potable use.

The Railway Board has advised Zonal Railways to undertake comprehensive inspection of water coolers and water purification systems. Water tanks in coolers will be thoroughly cleaned, leakages in coolers, pipelines and taps will be addressed promptly, and 100 per cent hygiene around water-cooler dispensing areas will be ensured.

UV/RO purification systems for water coolers will be checked for proper functioning and provided wherever required. Scheduled maintenance, servicing, overhauling and timely replacement of filter candles and other components will be undertaken wherever due. New or replacement UV/RO systems, based on their condition and requirement, are also to be taken up in mission mode.

The prescribed measures for cleaning, purification and quality monitoring will also be applicable to water vending machines to ensure that drinking water dispensed through such facilities meets the required safety and hygiene standards.

The officials will undertake physical, chemical and bacteriological testing of water samples from identified locations, including sources, post-treatment outlets, tanks, coolers, vending machines and representative taps or booths, wherever feasible. Daily residual-chlorine monitoring will also be undertaken, with immediate re-chlorination or other corrective action wherever required.

The Railway Board has also directed Zonal Railways to monitor and expedite works already sanctioned for replacement and construction of new overhead and underground tanks. A summary of these sanctioned works will be prepared, and fresh sanctions, wherever required, will be processed.

Zonal Railways will submit station-wise details of deficiencies identified and the corrective action taken. This mechanism will facilitate systematic monitoring of deficiencies and ensure that issues identified during the special drive are addressed in a time-bound manner.

The action plan also envisages similar measures for drinking-water infrastructure in Railway colonies and workplaces, thereby extending the focus on safe and hygienic drinking water beyond passenger areas, the statement added.

–IANS

sps/na