Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS3/ Infrastructure A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of railway passenger amenities for -20 to -24 found major deficiencies in basic facilities, drinking-water quality, implementation of passenger-amenity works and monitoring mechanisms. The Railway Board introduced in , with the norms revised in .
This CurrentPulse analysis synthesizes unique exam-relevant inputs from the following sources.
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Prelims: Polity & Governance — institutions, terminology and factual features connected with the development.
Mains: GS-2 — contemporary application of the relevant syllabus theme.
Current–static link: Revise the underlying institution, policy or concept together with this development.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Railways to redevelop and modernize 1,340 railway stations across India.
Sanitation Infrastructure: Indian Railways has promoted bio-toilets and improved toilet infrastructure as part of its sanitation efforts.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) The CAG is the supreme audit authority of India, responsible for auditing government accounts and ensuring accountability in public finance management.
The Railway Board introduced Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) in 2003, with the norms revised in 2018.
Out of 512 non-suburban stations audited, only 54 stations—less than 11%—had all prescribed MEAs.
Drinking-Water Safety: Water samples from water coolers at several stations tested positive for E. coli, indicating faecal contamination and inadequate water-quality management.
Accessibility for Divyangjan: The audit highlighted significant gaps in facilities intended to ensure universal accessibility including standard ramps with railings (44%), earmarked parking lots (55%), non-slippery walkways (32%).
Underutilisation of Funds: Around 59% of passenger-amenity works were found to be delayed.
Funds allocated for customer amenities were underutilised by 36–44% during the audited period.
Maintenance Concerns: The CAG found lapses in the maintenance of water coolers, rag picking, pest and rodent control measures, the discharge of sewage from drains or toilets at stations, and the upkeep of toilets, urinals and bathrooms.
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS3/ Infrastructure
A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of railway passenger amenities for 2019-20 to 2023-24 found major deficiencies in basic facilities, drinking-water quality, implementation of passenger-amenity works and monitoring mechanisms.
Distinguish the immediate development from the permanent mandate or structure of the institution concerned.
Revise exact names, dates, locations and legal or institutional terms from the source points; do not infer facts not stated there.
Examine the significance of “CAG Audit Flags Governance Concerns in Railway Passenger Amenities”. Discuss its key implications and the way forward.
Begin with the immediate development and identify the central institution or policy issue.
End with a balanced, institutionally feasible way forward without making claims beyond the available evidence.