Lok Sabha Question No. 1731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Drinking Water at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA, P. KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## DRINKING WATER AT STATIONS

†1731. SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA: SHRI P. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received complaints regarding contaminated and inadequate supply of drinking water  at  the  Railway  stations  across  the  country  during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State and zone-wise;
- (c) the number of Water Vending Machines (WVMs) installed at  Railway  stations  in  the  country  so  far  along  with  the estimated cost of installation of such WVMs, zone-wise;
- (d) whether there is any delay in installation of WVMs at the Railway  stations  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons therefor, zone-wise; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to provide adequate safe drinking water at affordable rates to passengers at the Railway stations in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

( SHRI MANOJ SINHA )

- (a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.1731 BY  SHRI  SUBHASH  CHANDRA BAHERIA AND SHRI P. KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.05.2016 REGARDING DRINKING WATER AT STATIONS.

- (a) and (b) Yes, Madam. A number of complaints regarding drinking water are received which include inadequate supply and contamination. Such complaints have been received at various levels of  Railway  administration  viz.  Station,  Division,  Zone  and  Railway Board's level, consolidated list of which is not maintained separately. These  are  examined  and  actions  as  found  feasible  and  viable,  are taken.
- (c) Zone-wise details of number of Water Vending Machines (WVMs) installed  over  various  Railway  Stations  in  the  country  is  Appended. The  estimated  cost  of  each  machine  is 6  lakh  (Approx)  which  is borne by the concerned licensees.
- (d) Yes, Madam. The main reasons for delay in installation of Water Vending  Machines  at  Railway  Stations  are  that  this  being  a  huge capital  intensive  project,  licensees  are  finding  it  difficult  to  arrange funds and also the licensees took time to develop suitable prototype of Water Vending Machines, as per guidelines issued in this regard.
- (e) With a view to augment availability of purified drinking water to passengers at affordable rates conforming to Bureau of Indian Standards  (BIS)  specifications,  Indian  Railway  Catering  and  Tourism Corporation  (IRCTC)  has  been  entrusted  the  task  of  providing  Water Vending Machines (WVMs) at Stations. Water Vending Machines based

on  Reverse  Osmosis  System  (RO)  or  superior  technology  are  being installed  to  provide  water  at  affordable  rates.  IRCTC  has  already awarded  licenses  for  installation  of  1600  nos.  of  Water  Vending Machines over Indian Railways.

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APPENDIX REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1731 BY SHRI SUBHASH CHANDRA BAHERIA AND SHRI P. KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.05.2016 REGARDING DRINKING WATER AT STATIONS.

| Railway Zones         |   Nos. of Water Vending Machines commissioned |
|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| East Central Railway  |                                            05 |
| East Coast Railway    |                                            16 |
| Northern Railway      |                                            14 |
| North Eastern Railway |                                            31 |
| Southern Railway      |                                            05 |
| South Central Railway |                                            72 |
| South Western Railway |                                            16 |
| Western Railway       |                                            16 |
| Total                 |                                           175 |