New Delhi, August 24 (IANS). Indian Railways has launched a special cleanliness drive on its network. Its objective is to continuously provide safe and clean drinking water to the passengers at railway stations, for which cleaning and disinfection of drinking water tanks and filtration systems is being done. This information was given in an official statement on Monday.

This initiative is part of a larger action plan to improve drinking water quality management in Indian Railways. It emphasizes frequent testing and maintenance of the entire drinking water system, rather than just testing water at the endpoint. Besides, attention will also be paid to testing the quality of water both at the source and at the place of use.

During this campaign, Zonal Railways will thoroughly inspect the water sources, treatment and filtration plants, underground and above ground tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps and water extraction points. All drinking water tanks will be emptied, desilted, scrubbed and disinfected.

The statement said that the lid of the tank should be tightly closed and necessary measures will also be taken to protect the vent and overflow point from birds, animals and moss.

In this campaign, those shortcomings which need to be rectified will also be identified. Wherever required, damaged tanks, pipelines and filters will be repaired or replaced. Additionally, it will be ensured that there is no cross-connection between potable and non-potable water systems. All pipelines connected to the drinking water system will be checked for leakage and necessary steps will be taken to prevent wastage of water.

Special attention will be paid to those places where hand pumps and borewells are being used to extract drinking water. Zonal Railways will ensure that the water supplied from such systems is not contaminated and is safe for drinking.

Railway Board has directed Zonal Railways to thoroughly check the water coolers and water purification systems. The water tanks installed in the coolers will be thoroughly cleaned, leakages in the coolers, pipelines and taps will be repaired immediately and complete cleanliness will be maintained around the water-cooler intake points.

Whether the UV/RO purification systems for water coolers are working properly will be checked and installed where required. Wherever necessary, maintenance, servicing, overhauling and timely replacement of filter candles and other parts will be done as per schedule. Depending on the condition and requirement of the system, installation of new UV/RO systems or replacement of old systems will also be carried out rapidly (in mission mode).

The prescribed standards for cleaning, purification and quality monitoring will also be applicable to water vending machines to ensure that the drinking water supplied from these machines meets the required standards of safety and hygiene.

Officials will conduct physical, chemical and bacteriological tests of water samples from selected locations. These locations will include water sources, treatment outlets, tanks, coolers, vending machines, and certain taps or booths, wherever feasible. The residual chlorine in the water will also be monitored daily and if necessary, chlorine will be immediately added again or any other necessary action will be taken.

The Railway Board has also directed the Zonal Railways to monitor and expeditiously complete the works already sanctioned for construction of new overhead and underground tanks and replacement of old tanks. Details of these approved works will be prepared and wherever required, the process of approval of new works will be started.

According to the zonal railway station, we will give the details of those deficiencies and the steps taken to correct them. This system will help in systematic monitoring of deficiencies and ensure that the problems identified during the special drive are resolved within the stipulated time.

The statement said that in this action plan, similar measures are planned for drinking water facilities in railway colonies and work places, so that apart from the places meant for passengers, attention can also be given to safe and clean drinking water.

–IANS

abs