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Rajya Sabha
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 table 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. Many Non Government Organizations also supplement water supply to 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 Minister of State for Railways Shri R. Velu in written reply to a question by Smt. Jaya Bachchan in Rajya Sabha today.
BSC/HK/CK- 101/05
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