458 of 512 railway stations lack essential amenities, CAG finds

Who it concerns: Union Government, Ministry of Railways (Indian Railways)

What the auditor found

• 458 out of 512 inspected stations (over 89%) were deficient in one or more Minimum Essential Amenities (MEAs) such as drinking water, seating, toilets, and platform shelters.
• 59% of 395 passenger amenity works undertaken between 2019-20 and 2023-24 were delayed, with delays ranging from one to over four years.
• Budget Grant for passenger amenities was underutilized by 36% to 44% during 2019-20 to 2023-24, even in non-COVID years.
• Amenities for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities) were found inadequate and non-compliant with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• Drinking water quality was unsatisfactory at many stations, with issues including low/high chlorine levels and presence of E-coli bacteria.
• No Zonal Railway had operationalised station-wise webpages for amenities and sanitation information as required by National Green Tribunal (NGT) directions as of March 2024.
• Monitoring mechanisms, including Service Improvement Groups (SIGs) and consultative committees, were largely ineffective with mandatory inspections not conducted at many stations.

Also in the document

• CAG found that deficiencies were systemic and widespread, persisting despite detailed norms prescribed by the Railway Board since 1952 and reiterated in 2018.
• CAG noted that high-revenue, high-footfall stations (NSG-1 to NSG-3) also exhibited significant shortfalls in essential amenities.
• CAG observed that emergency medical rooms and AIIMS-recommended medical boxes were absent at a majority of stations, posing risks to passenger safety.