Guwahati: Ensuring access to safe drinking water for passengers and railway employees, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has stepped up regular water-quality checks across its stations and other railway premises.
The monitoring programme covers drinking-water facilities used by passengers and staff. As part of the exercise, water samples are collected periodically and examined through physical, chemical and bacteriological tests to assess their quality and identify any possible contamination.
At major railway stations, laboratory tests are conducted for several water-quality parameters, including pH, turbidity, hardness, nitrate, iron, chloride, fluoride, calcium and alkalinity. The samples are also checked for residual free chlorine, which is an important indicator of the effectiveness of disinfection.
According to NFR, the samples tested were within the prescribed limits. Bacteriological examinations are also carried out to check for the presence of harmful microorganisms and ensure that the water supplied for drinking purposes meets safety requirements.
Water infrastructure at railway premises is being monitored alongside the testing programme. NFR said storage tanks are cleaned and disinfected regularly, while water coolers, pipelines, taps and other components of the supply system are inspected.
Any shortcomings detected during these inspections are addressed through corrective action, according to the railway authorities.
NFR said the continued monitoring of water quality allows variations or potential problems to be identified at an early stage. The railway maintains that the measures are aimed at ensuring passengers and staff have access to clean and hygienic drinking water throughout its network.
The information was shared by the Northeast Frontier Railway through an official press release.
