Railways to improve availability of potable water

With a view to improve the availability of potable drinking water for passengers, Railways has formulated a comprehensive uniform policy for the installation of Water Vending Machines (WVMs) at railway stations across the country. Pure water will be dispensed through these highly mechanised machines for the passengers at an affordable price which would be much less as compared to the packaged drinking water.  

Under the policy, the installation of WVMs will be handled by IRCTC. A senior railway official said WVMs will be installed only by reputed manufacturers or their franchisee holders or authorised agents and will have multiple dispensing taps to facilitate maximum passengers to avail the facility simultaneously. Priority will be accorded to provide WVMs at locations where general coaches can have easy access.

Presently drinking water at stations is generally supplied through water booths/water coolers after carrying out requisite treatment/disinfection as per requirement.  On select stations, RO drinking water units have also been provided but most of the times there have been complaints of non-potable water or non functional taps, most of the stations reported rackets by private water suppliers or sellers who in collusion with railway staff closed the water channels at stations. The Ministry took cognisance of several such complaints on the social websites.

In the initial phase, those platforms of the stations which are already provided with RO drinking water units supplying free water may not be provided with WVMs. “Water dispensed through the vending machine will conform to BIS specifications IS10500-2012(specification for drinking water) test requirement within desirable limit.  The water supplied through these machines will be frequently checked (at least once a month) through suitable device by the Health Inspector/ Medical Personnel,” said the official. 

Water Vending Machine will be with Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology or alternate superior technology. The cost & quantity of water dispensed will be displayed in a lED display so that amount is verifiable by the customer. As part of eco-friendly measures, the companies installing WVMs will have to provide adequate number of eco-friendly disposable tumblers and dustbins of approved quality and design and water bottles of PET.