**Policy Summary: Provision of Potable Drinking Water at Railway Stations**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2780 regarding the availability of potable drinking water at railway stations. The Ministry acknowledges the need for readily accessible and affordable drinking water for passengers.
The official response asserts that providing safe and potable drinking water facilities free of cost at all stations is a minimum essential amenity. Indian Railways ensures adequate water supply through consumption assessment, alternative arrangements for shortfalls, and collaboration with municipalities and other suppliers. The quality of drinking water is maintained through periodic checks, corrective actions, and regular inspection/maintenance of facilities. Complaints are addressed promptly.
To provide drinking water of prescribed standards at reasonable prices, Water Vending Machines (WVMs) have been installed. Currently, 1226 WVMs are operational at railway stations across the country. The Ministry does not explicitly detail plans for widespread installation of RO plants or RO water ATMs but focuses on the existing strategy of WVMs and ensuring the quality and availability of free drinking water. The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology is Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. This statement was issued on 06.08.2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for railways in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Dr. Anand Kumar: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology answering the question.
Indian Railways: The state-owned railway company of India.
RO water plants: Reverse Osmosis water purification plants, considered for installation at railway stations.
RO water ATMs: Reverse Osmosis water dispensing machines, considered for installation at railway stations.
Water Vending Machines (WVM): Machines installed at railway stations to provide drinking water at a reasonable price.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2780
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
INSTALLATION OF RO PLANTS/RO WATER ATMs AT RAILWAY STATIONS
†2780. DR. ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the limited facility of a potable
drinking water at most of the railway stations in the country on account
of which passengers are forced to buy expensive bottled water, if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether the Government plans to install RO water plants or RO water
ATMs at railway stations to provide clean drinking water at a
subsidised/minimum rates to passengers;
(c) if so, the proposed action plan and the progress made so far in that
regard; and
(d) if not, the details of the Government plan, if any to launch any such
scheme in the near future to provide the facility of potable drinking
water at cheaper rates to the common passengers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) Ministry of Railways is committed to provide safe and potable
drinking water facilities free of cost at all stations over Indian Railways
as one of the minimum essential amenities.Indian Railways ensure ample water supply at railway stations by
assessing expected consumption, making alternative arrangements for
shortfalls and collaboration with municipalities, local water tanker
suppliers, and other sources as needed.
To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the
railway stations, instruction exist for periodical checking and required
corrective action to be taken. Regular inspection and maintenance of
drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended
promptly.
With the objective to provide drinking water of prescribed standard to
passengers at reasonable price, Water Vending Machines (WVM) are also
installed at stations to cater to the needs of travelling passengers.
Presently, 1226 Water Vending Machines are operational at stations
across the country.
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