A scathing audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reveals that nearly 89% of sampled Indian railway stations are deficient in essential passenger amenities despite available funds.
- 458 out of 512 audited stations (89%) lacked one or more minimum essential amenities.
- Highest deficiencies were found in fans (42%), water coolers (40%), and drinking water taps (27%).
- Significant budget under-utilization (36%-44%) observed between 2019 and 2024.
- Major terminals like New Delhi and Mumbai Central were not exempt from these shortfalls.
A comprehensive audit of passenger amenities and sanitation conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has exposed widespread and persistent deficiencies across the Indian Railways network. Out of 512 stations audited, a staggering 458 stations—nearly 89%—were found lacking in one or more minimum essential amenities, raising serious questions about passenger welfare and administrative efficiency.
The report highlights critical shortages in basic infrastructure: 42% of stations lacked fans, 40% lacked water coolers, 27% were deficient in drinking water taps, and 22% lacked urinals. Furthermore, 12% of stations were missing basic clocks and latrines. Only 11% of the audited stations were found to be fully compliant with the minimum essential standards. The audit focused heavily on non-suburban stations handling long-distance traffic, excluding those under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that these findings point to a systemic failure in governance rather than a lack of financial resources. When top-tier NSG-1 stations—which generate over ₹500 crore annually—such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and New Delhi exhibit these gaps, it indicates a collapse in the monitoring and maintenance mechanism of the Railway Board.
"The persistence of these gaps across multiple audits since 2007 suggests that the Railways is prioritizing cosmetic redevelopment over mandatory functional standards."
The audit noted that these issues are not new, having been flagged in previous reports in 2007, 2013, and 2016. Despite a 2012 mandate that platform shelters must cover general second-class coach areas, 379 stations failed to comply, leaving passengers exposed to extreme weather. Additionally, 59% of passenger amenity works across 325 stations were delayed by one to four years.
The most alarming aspect of the report is the financial mismanagement. Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, budget grants for passenger amenities remained under-utilized by 36% to 44%. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, while the budget surged to ₹14,072 crore, nearly ₹5,956 crore remained unspent, proving that execution is the primary bottleneck.
| Amenity | Deficiency Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Fans | 42% |
| Water Coolers | 40% |
| Drinking Water Taps | 27% |
| Urinals | 22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which major stations were found deficient in the CAG audit?
Answer: Major terminals including New Delhi, Mumbai Central, Howrah, Sealdah, Bhopal, and Rajkot were identified as having shortfalls.
Q2: Why did these deficiencies persist despite available funding?
Answer: The CAG attributes this to inadequate monitoring of Railway Board circulars, a lack of time-bound action plans, and weak oversight of fund utilization at the zonal level.
