# Dangerous E. Coli Bacteria Found in Railway Station Drinking Water, CAG Audit Exposes Hygiene Lapses

> A CAG audit report presented in Parliament has revealed the presence of dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, in drinking water supplied at several major railway stations across India. The investigation also highlighted that bacteriological testing was skipped at 59 stations, alongside widespread deficiencies in sanitation and seating facilities.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-08-16 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/relave-steshanon-ke-pani-men-mila-khataranaka-e-coli-baiktiriya-cag-riporta-men-gnbhira-laparavahi-ai-samane-17175 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Railway Stations, CAG Report, E Coli Bacteria, Drinking Water, Indian Railways, Water Contamination, Passenger Amenities

Passengers relying on drinking water facilities at railway stations across India face severe health risks as recent audit findings reveal widespread contamination and systemic neglect. A comprehensive parliamentary report presented by the Comptroller and Auditor General on 12 August detailed alarming deficiencies in basic amenities and hygiene standards provided to rail commuters. Among the most concerning revelations is the presence of disease-causing microorganisms, particularly E. coli, in water samples drawn directly from platform taps and public water coolers. Millions of daily passengers who routinely consume water from these facilities without hesitation are now exposed to contaminated supplies that fail to meet mandatory safety norms.

## Dangerous E. Coli Bacteria Detected Across Key Rail Terminals
The audit uncovered severe bacteriological contamination in public drinking infrastructure across multiple railway zones. Water samples collected from coolers at prominent stations yielded positive results for E. coli, a bacterium known to cause severe gastrointestinal infections. On Southern Railway, water coolers at Coimbatore Junction and Palakkad Junction were found to be infected with E. coli. Similar contamination was recorded on South Central Railway at Hyderabad station. On Central Railway, water cooler samples from major passenger hubs including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan, and Lonavala all tested positive for E. coli. Eastern Railway also reported E. coli contamination in drinking water samples collected at Madhupur station.

## Widespread Absence of Mandatory Water Quality Testing
Beyond active contamination, the audit highlighted severe lapses in routine monitoring protocols meant to safeguard passenger health. Across six railway zones, a total of 59 stations failed to conduct any bacteriological testing of their drinking water supplies. This lack of verification meant that unsafe water was continuously served to unsuspecting travelers without any safety assessment. The failure to execute regular lab tests undermines basic public health guidelines and leaves contamination unchecked across busy station premises.

## Multi-Year Data Points to Chronic Sanitation Issues
The Comptroller and Auditor General evaluated passenger facilities across 512 non-suburban railway stations, revealing that water quality failures have persisted over multiple consecutive years. During the 2022-23 period, water samples taken from platform taps at 49 stations spanning eight railway zones contained dangerous bacteria, including E. coli. Additionally, four zones recorded unsatisfactory results in other bacteriological test parameters across eight stations during the same timeframe. The situation worsened during the 2023-24 period, when tap water samples from 56 stations across nine zones tested positive for dangerous bacteria like E. coli. Furthermore, five zones reported unsatisfactory non-E. coli bacteriological results across 11 stations during 2023-24.

## Deficiencies in Basic Infrastructure and Hygiene Standards
The scope of the audit extended beyond drinking water to evaluate overall cleanliness and essential station infrastructure. The inspection revealed widespread maintenance failures in public toilets, urinals, platform taps, and passenger seating arrangements. Many stations suffered from broken fixtures, unhygienic washrooms, and inadequate seating capacity, compounding the discomfort of traveling citizens. The findings underscore urgent requirements for systemic repairs, stringent water testing enforcement, and strict oversight across the entire national rail network.

## What this means for you
**Across India:** Rail commuters are advised to carry boiled drinking water or verified bottled water instead of drinking directly from station coolers and platform taps.

**For Railway Passengers:** Awareness about water hygiene is essential to prevent serious gastrointestinal infections and illnesses caused by contaminated water supplies.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What did the CAG report reveal regarding drinking water at railway stations?
The CAG report revealed the presence of dangerous bacteria, including E. coli, in water coolers and platform taps at several railway stations across India, posing serious health risks to passengers.

### 2. At which railway stations was E. coli bacteria found in water coolers?
Tests detected E. coli contamination in water coolers at Coimbatore Junction, Palakkad Junction, Hyderabad, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan, Lonavala, and Madhupur stations.

### 3. How many railway stations failed to conduct mandatory bacteriological water testing?
According to the CAG report, a total of 59 railway stations across six railway zones failed to conduct any bacteriological analysis of their drinking water.

### 4. How many railway stations were audited in this inspection by the CAG?
The Comptroller and Auditor General audited passenger amenities, hygiene, and water quality across 512 non-suburban railway stations nationwide.

### 5. Besides drinking water, what other deficiencies were highlighted in the report?
Apart from drinking water issues, the report highlighted significant deficiencies in station toilets, urinals, platform taps, and passenger seating arrangements.

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