VISAKHAPATNAM
South Coast Railway (SCoR) has on Monday confirmed that the drinking water supplied across its network is completely safe for consumption. The confirmation has come following the conclusion of an intensive week-long quality monitoring drive, during which thousands of supply points across four divisions were evaluated against strict safety parameters under the Indian Railways Medical Manual (IRMM).
The technical drive evaluated drinking water infrastructure at 3,680 distinct checkpoints including Visakhapatnam, covering passenger stations, residential quarters, and railway hospitals. According to official performance data released by the zone, 100% of the tested samples satisfied the health and safety thresholds set by railway medical authorities, clearing all immediate concerns regarding contamination or chemical imbalances.
The primary focus of the daily testing centered on residual chlorine levels to ensure proper disinfection throughout the delivery network. Field inspectors analyzed 3,441 distribution points across the four divisions. All 3,441 locations met the required chlorination standards, confirming that the water supply retains adequate disinfectant properties from source to tap to neutralize harmful microorganisms.
To guard against biological hazards, health teams collected 211 water samples from high-density passenger areas and medical facilities for laboratory bacteriological analysis. Testing specifically screened for indicator organisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliform bacteria. The analysis yielded zero positive tests for biological contamination, verifying that supply pipelines, overhead storage tanks, and station coolers remain free from sewage or surface runoff infiltration. Routine testing continues on a monthly basis for major facilities and bi-monthly for minor stations.
In addition, 28 comprehensive chemical tests were conducted to check pH levels, total dissolved solids (TDS), and heavy metal concentrations. All 28 samples fell strictly within permissible safety limits, ensuring chemical purity across both long-standing and newly integrated water sources.
SCoR general manager Sandeep Mathur noted that daily residual chlorine checks will continue uninterrupted alongside surprise inspections to ensure that water quality does not drop during seasonal shifts or operational fluctuations.
Published – September 22, 2026 12:47 am IST
