New Delhi: The Indian Railways under Piyush Goyal is on a mission. The Ministry is determined to end the selling of spurious and unhygienic drinking water on trains.
‘Operation Thirst’ has arrested 1,371 people from 300 places in connection with the sale of unauthorized Packaged Drinking Water.
The Minister said on Wednesday, “More than 800 persons, including manager of 4 pantry cars, were arrested and 48,860 bottles were recovered. Action was taken on the complaint of passengers.”
The railways have been pro active in stopping adulterated food and water to ensure the safety of the passengers. They have began printing barcodes on food packets to cite name of the kitchen and the packaging date. Also, CCTV are installed in 38 kitchens to check the hygiene of food preparation.
Last year the railways made bills on food compulsory to stop over pricing and cancelled two vendors who charged extra from the passengers. Despite many initiatives the menace of spurious drinking water was rampant and unclean water was sold as packaged drinking water to unsuspecting passengers.
‘Operation Thirst’ is the latest crackdown on those who sell unhygienic water and the results are quick and effective. The railway ministry is committed to stop this evil and ensure that passengers are supplied with safe drinking water. The unprecedented move will act as a deterrent for those who engages in such unlawful activities.