Bengaluru: A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit has raised concerns over drinking water facilities at several railway stations in and around Bengaluru, highlighting gaps in basic passenger amenities.

The audit covered 512 railway stations across India during 2019-20 to 2023-24. In the South Western Railway (SWR) zone, which covers most of Karnataka, 31 stations were selected for assessment.

KSR Bengaluru lacks water coolers

KSR Bengaluru railway station, one of the country’s busiest terminals, was found without water coolers during the audit despite the facility being a minimum requirement for stations classified under the NSG-1 category.

The Majestic terminal is among only 10 stations in the country classified as NSG-1. During the audit period, it recorded annual earnings of Rs 757 crore and handled around 2.4 crore passengers.

Yeshwantpur also faces water shortage

Yeshwantpur Junction was found to have no drinking water taps and was also without water coolers despite its NSG-II classification.

Kengeri railway station on the Bengaluru-Mysuru route was also found to have inadequate drinking water facilities.

The audit further identified shortcomings at Bangarapet, including a lack of drinking water taps, insufficient fans and inadequate seating for passengers. Some electronic train indicator boards were also found non-functional.

SMVT found compliant

Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) was among the stations that had no shortfalls in minimum essential amenities during the audit period.

Across the SWR zone, however, essential amenity deficiencies were identified at 10 stations. Inadequate drinking water taps for general second-class passengers were recorded at 12 stations.

The audit also flagged shortages of waiting halls, urinals and accessibility infrastructure at several stations.

Railways announces tank-to-tap system

The findings come as the Railway Ministry has announced a new “tank-to-tap” water filtration system at 20,000 locations across the network, including water coolers.

The ministry said drinking water remains a priority and that water quality and availability will be monitored at the Board level. Progress updates and water quality reports are also expected to be published periodically