Faced with frequent complaints of unavailibity of safe drinking water during scorching summer, Railways has decided to install water vending machines at more than 1000 stations across the country.
However, the move to provide clean chilled water as part of the better amenities for passengers comes with a fee. It will be charged at Rs 2 per glass and Rs 5 per bottle.
"It has been decided to install 7,500 water vending machines at 1,100 busy stations in the first phase and gradually more stations will be provided with such facility," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
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Besides complaints of unavailability, there are cases of over-charging of packaged drinking water by unscrupulous elements at stations.
"We will be providing filtered water which will be safe for human consumption and we will charging a nominal fee for the facility," the official said.
IRCTC, Railways' catering arm, has been given responsibility for installing water vending machines at stations.
