Executive Summary
The Ministry of Railways has launched a special drive on August 24, 2026, to clean and disinfect drinking-water tanks and filtration systems across the railway network. The initiative aims to ensure safe water for passengers and personnel through frequent inspections, quality testing at the source and point of consumption, and infrastructure rectification. Zonal Railways are required to submit station-wise reports on deficiencies and corrective actions in a time-bound manner.
Key Points / Main Content
Cleaning and Hygiene Protocols
Drain, desludge, scrub, and disinfect all drinking-water tanks, including underground, overhead, and PVC tanks.
Ensure tight covers and protection for vents and overflow points to prevent contamination from birds, animals, and algae.
Thoroughly clean water cooler tanks and ensure 100% hygiene at all dispensing areas.
Apply identical cleaning and quality monitoring standards to Water Vending Machines (WVMs).
Infrastructure Inspection and Rectification
Conduct comprehensive inspections of water sources, treatment plants, filtration systems, and piping circuits.
Repair or replace damaged tanks, filters, and pipelines while eliminating leakages to prevent water wastage.
Ensure strict separation between potable and non-potable water systems to prevent cross-connection.
Maintain and replace UV/RO purification system components, such as filter candles, based on scheduled servicing or condition.
Water Quality Monitoring
Perform physical, chemical, and bacteriological testing of water samples from sources, tanks, coolers, and taps.
Implement daily residual-chlorine monitoring with immediate re-chlorination if standards are not met.
Provide special attention to hand pumps and borewells to ensure water remains free from contamination.
Administrative and Monitoring Actions
Expedite sanctioned works for the construction of new overhead and underground tanks.
Identify and implement suitable filtration systems for various stages of the supply chain (at-source and at-tap).
Extend the scope of the action plan to include drinking-water infrastructure in Railway colonies and workplaces.
Impact Analysis
Zonal RailwaysImpact
They are the primary executive bodies responsible for the comprehensive inspection, maintenance, and cleaning of all water infrastructure under their jurisdiction.
Action Required
Must undertake immediate cleaning drives, perform daily water quality testing, repair deficiencies, and submit station-wise reports on actions taken to the Railway Board.
Railway BoardImpact
Serves as the monitoring and sanctioning authority for the nationwide water quality management action plan.
Action Required
Must monitor the progress of the drive, expedite previously sanctioned infrastructure projects, and process fresh sanctions for new water tanks and purification systems.
Passengers and Railway PersonnelImpact
They are the primary beneficiaries of the improved hygiene standards and the continued availability of safe, potable drinking water.
Action Required
While no specific operational action is required from them, the document outlines that they will receive enhanced water safety at stations, workplaces, and railway colonies.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The primary government authority overseeing the national rail network and the initiator of the water safety drive.
Railway Board: The apex executive body of the Indian Railways that directs Zonal Railways to implement infrastructure inspections and water quality management.
Action plan for strengthening drinking-water quality management: The overarching policy document emphasizing frequent inspections, water-quality testing at source and consumption points, and infrastructure maintenance.
Zonal Railways: The primary operational entities responsible for executing the cleaning drive, monitoring station-wise deficiencies, and ensuring potable water safety.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Launches a Special Drive for
Cleaning and Disinfection of Drinking Water
Tanks and Filters
Zonal Railways Advised to Undertake Comprehensive
Inspection and Rectification of Drinking-Water Infrastructure;
Station-Wise Deficiencies and Action Taken to be Monitored
Posted On: 24 AUG 2026 11:37AM by PIB Delhi
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.
The initiative is part of a broader action plan for strengthening drinking-water quality management across
Indian Railways. The action plan 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 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.
Strengthening Water Quality Management
As part of the broader action plan, 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.
Monitoring of Infrastructure and Corrective Action
Railway Board has 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 also be prepared, and fresh sanctions, wherever required, will be processed.
Suitable filtration and purification systems for different situations, including at-source and at-tap filtration,
are also being worked out to identify and prevent contamination at various stages of the drinking-water
supply chain.
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.
Through these coordinated measures, Indian Railways is strengthening preventive inspection,
infrastructure maintenance, cleaning and disinfection, water-quality testing and corrective-action
mechanisms across the drinking-water supply system. The initiative aims to ensure the continued
availability of safe, clean and hygienic drinking water for passengers as well as Railway personnel.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Vanshita Jaiswal
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