458 of 512 railway stations lack essential amenities, CAG finds

This audit examined the provision of passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations in Indian Railways for the period 2019-20 to 2023-24, including instances from earlier years and subsequent to 2023-24 where necessary.

Union Government, Ministry of Railways (Indian Railways)

• 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.

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