CAG Report 2026: Only 11% Railway Stations Have All Basic Amenities, E. coli Found in Drinking Water

CAG Flags E. coli Contamination in Drinking Water at 8 Railway Stations, Violates Water Quality Protocol

CAG's audit of Indian Railways' passenger amenities has revealed E. coli contamination in drinking water at 8 stations, exposing serious lapses in water quality testing and violation of the Uniform Drinking Water Quality Protocol. This report underscores failures in public health infrastructure and accountability of railway authorities.

CAG Report Flags 89% of 512 Non-Suburban Railway Stations Deficient in Minimum Essential Amenities

CAG audit reveals that over 89% of 512 surveyed non-suburban railway stations lack Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) like drinking water, fans, and toilets. Even premier stations such as New Delhi, Howrah, and CSMT are deficient, exposing systemic gaps in maintenance and monitoring despite Railway Board norms since 1952.

Railway Board Orders Dedicated Inquiry Teams for Faster Train Accident Probe, Safety Budget at ₹1.20 Lakh Crore

The Railway Board has mandated dedicated inquiry locations near accident sites to expedite probe completion, addressing systemic delays. With safety spending rising to ₹1.20 lakh crore and train accidents declining sharply (only 2 in FY 2026-27), this move signals a shift towards accountability and data-driven safety management.

Indian Railways Upgrades 40-Year-Old PRS: 1.5 Lakh Bookings/Min, Cloud-Enabled, Multilingual

Indian Railways has begun a phased upgrade of its 40-year-old Passenger Reservation System (PRS), developed by CRIS. The new system aims to handle 1.5 lakh bookings per minute (up from 32,000) and 40 lakh enquiries per minute, featuring a cloud-enabled, multilingual interface to meet growing digital demand.

CAG Report: ₹15.25 Cr Shortfall & ₹17.80 Cr Solatium Unpaid to Tribals in WB Mining Acquisitions

CAG report reveals West Bengal government's failure to ensure fair compensation to tribal landowners in mining land acquisitions by ECL and BCCL between 2017-22, resulting in a short payment of ₹15.25 crore and unpaid solatium of ₹17.80 crore. The report highlights systemic lapses by district authorities in implementing Coal India's R&R Policy 2012 and the LARR Act 2013.

Railway Board Approves MRTS-Chennai Metro Merger: 2-Year Transition, 21 Stations Handed Over

After a 15-year wait since the proposal in 2011, the Railway Board has approved the merger of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL). This marks a major urban infrastructure reform in Chennai, involving a two-year transition, handover of 21 stations, and creation of a special committee for oversight.

Delhi HC Quashes Railway Board Decision, Upholds UDID Card for 45% Locomotor Disability

The Delhi High Court has set aside the Railway Board's cancellation of a UPSC ESE candidate's candidature, ruling that a valid UDID card certifying 45% locomotor disability cannot be overruled by a medical board. This judgment reinforces the legal sanctity of disability certificates under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and is a landmark for PwD recruitment in government services.

J&K House Committee Flags ₹1100 Cr Irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission, Seeks Probe

The J&K House Committee report exposes gross negligence and widespread irregularities in ₹1100 crore Jal Jeevan Mission projects, including poor civil works, unauthorized pipe substitution, and false claims of tap connections. This raises serious questions about the flagship scheme's implementation and accountability, making it a critical governance issue for exams.