Question : Rail Neer

(a) whether 75 per cent of the business of bottled drinking water has been captured by the private players as against the mere 25 per cent supply of Rail Neer in the Railways;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) the total number of private companies and the brands authorised to sell water in the Indian Railways and the stations, the zone-wise details thereof;

(d) whether bottled drinking water of unauthorised brands is being sold by the vendors and stalls at railway stations;

(e) if so, the action taken by the Railways against them;

(f) the total number of Rail Neer plants in the country and the production capacity thereof; and

(g) the total number of new plants proposed to be set up to meet the demand and the reasons for the delay being caused in setting up of these plants?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) & (b): No, Sir. At present, around 50 per cent supply of Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) over Indian Railways is met through Rail Neer


packaged drinking water bottles presently manufactured from existing 11 Rail Neer plants. This is likely to increase with the commissioning of new Rail Neer plants.

(c): Zone-wise list of total number of private companies and the brands authorised to sell water over Indian Railways is appended at Appendix-I.



(d)&(e): No, Sir. Bottled drinking water of only approved brands is permitted for sale on Indian Railways. In case any instance of selling of drinking water bottles of unauthorised brand is reported or noticed, strict action is taken.


(f) At present, there are 11 Rail Neer plants over Indian Railways with an average production capacity of 11.64 lakh litres of Rail Neer per day.


(g) The details of proposed new Rail Neer plants are appended at Appendix-II.

*****