E coli found in drinking water, rail stations lack basic facilities: CAG

Water samples were found to contain coliform bacteria.NEW DELHI: Comptroller and Auditor General has flagged gaps in sanitation and minimum essential amenities at 458 out of 512 railway stations, including presence of E coli bacteria in water coolers at eight stations.The CAG report on "passenger amenities and sanitation at non-suburban railway stations", presented in Parliament last week, said bacteriological analysis of drinking water was not carried out at 59 stations in six zones."Water sample from water coolers was positive for E coli at two stations (Coimbatore and Palakkad junctions) in Southern Railway, one station (Hyderabad) in South Central Railway, four stations (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bhiwandi Road, Kalyan and Lonavala) in Central Railway, and one station (Madhu