Rail passengers in Kochi will soon get potable water through reverse osmosis (RO) at ₹8 per litre and ₹5 for half a litre.
At present, Rail Neer, the drinking water supplied by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) is available at ₹15 per litre while other brands of packaged potable water costs ₹20 per litre.
The water vending machines will be installed at three railway stations in Ernakulam district this week. The RO purified chilled water will be available at Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Aluva stations. The IRCTC has already installed two machines in each station, and they would be operational throughout day and night. Refills are allowed from the machines at ₹3 for half a litre and ₹1 for 300 ml.
The Corporation has already installed vending machines at Thrissur railway station, and they have been operational since May first week, Times of India reports.
The IRCTC is installing 91 machines in 18 railway stations under Thiruvananthapuram railway division. The corporation aims to ensure quality drinking water to passengers at nominal rates. The project is implemented in collaboration with private companies while state Health Department will regularly monitor the water quality.