Indian Railways have more than 8000 stations. Railways endeavour is to
provide drinking water to passengers at all stations. Some small
stations do not have adequate water source either due to absence of
water supply from municipality or presence of brackish water,
inadequate ground water yield from hand pumps. Further, even at some of
those stations where piped/hand pump supply exists, water scarcity
comes up in summer due to lesser supplies by municipality, lowering in
ground water level etc. and increased demand. In such cases,
availability of drinking water is ensured at stations by arranging
water through private water tankers. Even water special trains are run
in areas facing heavy shortage of water. Water coolers, mobile water
trollies, matkas are arranged for better availability of water to the
passengers. In addition, packaged drinking water/natural mineral water
is made available for sale through static as well as mobile
catering/vending units.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri
R.Velu in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
