Supreme Court plea seeks deadlines to improve railway station amenities

A petition has asked the Supreme Court to order time-bound improvements at railway stations. The plea cites audit findings and seeks testing, monitoring and accountability for delays.The plea has asked the Centre and other authorities to ensure hygienic drinking water, functional toilets, proper waste management, cleanliness, emergency medical facilities and minimum essential amenities for passengers. (File Photo: PTI)New Delhi,Nov 9, 2026 16:44 ISTA petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking time-bound measures to improve drinking water, sanitation, medical facilities and accessibility at railway stations, PTI reported.The plea has asked the Centre and other authorities to ensure hygienic drinking water, functional toilets, proper waste management, cleanliness, emergency medical facilities and minimum essential amenities for passengers.According to the Supreme Court's cause list for November 16, the petition is scheduled to be heard by a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.The petition has sought comprehensive and periodic testing of all drinking water sources meant for passengers at railway stations in accordance with prescribed standards. One of its prayers states: "Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction, directing the respondents to ensure comprehensive and periodic testing of all passenger drinking water sources in accordance with the prescribed standards, including for E. coli, total coliforms and other bacteriological and chemical parameters, and to immediately discontinue every unsafe or contaminated source and provide safe alternative drinking water until rectification and certification."The plea cited a Comptroller and Auditor General of India report tabled in Parliament in August, which flagged the presence of E. coli bacteria in drinking water from water coolers and unhygienic washrooms at several stations, PTI reported. It has sought directions to implement the applicable recommendations of the CAG report within definite timelines through station-wise corrective action and an effective and transparent monitoring mechanism.The petition said responsibility should be fixed on the officers concerned, with appropriate action taken under the law, in cases of failure, neglect or unjustified delay in addressing deficiencies within the prescribed timeframe.Until the petition is decided, it has sought immediate action on shortcomings directly affecting passenger health and safety, particularly unsafe drinking water, sanitation, cleanliness, toilets, waste management and emergency medical preparedness.The plea has, in summary, asked the Supreme Court to direct the authorities to correct deficiencies at railway stations within set deadlines, regularly test drinking water and ensure accountability for delays.- Ends