With a number of complaints about the quality of the Rail Neer water supplied in the country, and hygiene concerns in connection to catering units in stations, railway authorities have stepped up the inspections of drinking water facilities and catering units at railway stations. As per reports, 39 catering units at Mumbai Central, a division of Western Railways have been found to be closed during the inspection drive in the last 10 days.
The tussle over Rail Neer started when social media posts questioned the purity of test-tubes of bottled water sold by the Railways. Sources told that a legal action has been taken by IRCTC against an influencer due to the allegations.
To this end the Railway Board has now ordered investigations by the zonal Railways, including the Central Railway and Western Railway, of water coolers and water-vending machines and pyaus of the railways in the stations. The aim of the 10-day drive of inspection is to ensure that the drinking water machines comply with hygiene and safety standards.
Authorities have requested inspecting and cleaning water storage tanks and determining if there are any water system problems such as leaking or rusting. They will also make sure tank lids and gaskets are in place and correct and pipelines and taps are not leaking.
The operation of UV and RO purification systems will also be discussed and the authorities will be directed to change the filter as per the specified schedule.
The wider inspection drive arrives as the railway sectors are under greater challenge relating the quality of stations’ catering and food or water safety provision.