(a) whether the Government are aware that the railways stations especially in tribal areas of
Gujarat have severe crisis of drinking water and the quality of water is also low;
(b) whether the Government have conducted/propose to conduct any survey in this regard,
particularly in Western railways in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA)
(a) to (d): The general availability of water in the tribal areas of Gujarat is satisfactory.
However, there may be occasional short supplies because of electrical load shedding by State
Electricity Board, short supply of water by Municipalities, equipment breakdowns, etc.
Drinking water, supplied at all Railway stations in Gujarat, is potable water. At all
stations, water is supplied from either Railways’ own sources or from outside sources like
municipality, etc. after chlorination to ensure that drinking water is safe Also, requirement vis-
à -vis availability of water at various stations is reviewed every year ahead of the summer season
and necessary action taken to ensure adequate supply of water.