DARE - Because Entrepreneurs Do

As a part of its ongoing efforts to provide better passenger amenities, the Ministry of Railways has approved a new scheme to make available free quality drinking water round the clock at railway stations through Reverse Osmosis (RO) process with the involvement of private parties. Under this scheme, the private parties will be allowed to install and operate water vending machines through commercial advertising route. The machines shall be required to dispense only RO processed drinking water. The machine provider would be allowed to advertise on the machines or on the frame used for covering the machines as per the approved guidelines with respect to aesthetics, public morale etc.

The water provided through these machines will not be allowed to be packaged i.e. no glasses or bottles will be used by the party for this purpose. No charge shall be levied either from the passenger or from the Railway. Railway will provide only electricity and water supply free for the processing of water.

The party would be required to ensure that the machine remains functional throughout the time and necessary maintenance is done regularly. Railways will monitor the functioning of the machines regularly and a suitable penalty clause may be added in the agreement.

The advertising material, the number of machines and the location etc. will be approved by the appropriate Railway authority. The arrangements under this scheme will be in addition to the existing arrangements for providing drinking water.

Zonal Railways have been sent detailed guidelines and instructions for this scheme and have been instructed to invite applications from the interested parties.

Source: PIB

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