Western Railway has reported a 100 per cent pass rate in 18,610 drinking water quality tests conducted at its railway stations and colonies between September 1 and October 20, 2026, covering water used by passengers, employees and their families.
According to an official statement, the railway administration conducted 15,936 residual chlorine tests and 2,674 bacteriological tests during the monitoring period. All the samples passed the respective checks, indicating that they met the requirements assessed under the two testing categories.
Residual chlorine testing is used to assess whether disinfection is effective in the water supply. Bacteriological testing examines microbiological safety and helps identify possible contamination risks. Together, the tests provide railway authorities with two measures for monitoring drinking water supplied at public facilities and residential colonies.
Western Railway said the monitoring drive was undertaken to ensure access to safe drinking water for passengers, railway employees and their families living in railway colonies. Thousands of travellers, including children, senior citizens and daily commuters, depend on station water facilities during their journeys.
The administration described safe drinking water as an essential passenger amenity and said access to clean water was important for preventing waterborne illnesses and supporting a safe travel experience. The testing programme also covers railway colonies, where employees and their families depend on railway-managed water supplies for daily use.
The Medical Department will continue regular water quality surveillance, laboratory testing and supervision across the Western Railway network, the statement said. It will coordinate with other departments and take corrective measures whenever water quality issues are identified.
The update comes as Mumbai’s railway authorities continue inspections of water infrastructure across stations, workplaces and residential colonies. Last month, Central Railway’s Mumbai Division launched a special drive following a Comptroller and Auditor General report on sanitation facilities and passenger amenities at non-suburban railway stations. The drive was carried out in compliance with Railway Board directions.
Central Railway said its inspection covered drinking water sources, filtration plants, underground and overhead tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps and dispensing points at 2,967 locations. The inspections recorded 410 deficiencies, of which 365 had been rectified. The remaining 45 were under work, according to the railway administration.
The Central Railway division has 2,913 water tanks across platforms, station premises, colonies and office premises. Of these, 1,753 tanks were cleaned between August 20 and September 22. Tight covers and mesh on vents and overflows were provided at 1,716 locations as part of the same drive.
Western Railway said its surveillance and supervision programme would continue across the network, with corrective action to be taken whenever required.
