MUMBAI: Central Railway’s Mumbai division found 410 deficiencies in drinking water facilities during a special inspection of 2,967 locations, launched following the CAG report on sanitation and passenger amenities at non-suburban railway stations.Of these, 365 deficiencies have been rectified while 45 are still being attended to, officials said.The inspection covered water sources, filtration plants, underground and overhead tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps and dispensing points across stations, railway colonies and workplaces.As part of the special drive conducted between August 20 and September 22, the division cleaned 1,753 of its 2,913 water tanks located on platforms, station premises, colonies and office premises.The railway also provided tight covers and mesh on vents and overflows at 1,716 locations to prevent contamination. Daily residual-free chlorine monitoring has been introduced at 134 locations.A total of 349 water samples were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological testing, with none testing positive for bacteriological contamination or E. coli.Officials also checked 29 hand pumps and borewells for contamination and safety and rectified 26 leakages or defective pipelines.The complete water pipeline systems at CSMT, Kalyan, Bhiwandi Road and Lonavla were checked for leakages. Water coolers were inspected and cleaned, with missing taps provided, leaking taps replaced and silt accumulation removed.E. coli testing kits have also been provided at all concerned Inspector of Works offices for regular monitoring.Central Railway said the exercise was undertaken in compliance with Railway Board directives and the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Protocol.
