URJA seeks free RO drinking water at all Delhi Metro stations

A residents’ body representing over 2,500 RWAs in Delhi urged the DMRC to install or restore RO-based drinking water coolers at all Metro stations, saying commuters, particularly senior citizens, women, children and persons with disabilities, are forced to buy bottled water.

In a letter to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairman and managing director on Friday, United Residents Joint Action (URJA) said drinking water coolers were either non-functional, missing or inaccessible at several stations.

The organisation said commuters often have to purchase bottled water costing around Rs 20, particularly during summer and while travelling through large interchange stations such as Kashmere Gate, Rajiv Chowk and Hauz Khas.

URJA, which describes itself as an apex body of resident welfare associations in Delhi, requested the DMRC to install two to four RO and water-cooler units at each station, including at unpaid and paid concourses and platforms.

It also sought proper signage to help commuters locate the facilities.

The residents’ body proposed annual maintenance contracts for the units and daily water-quality testing, with details such as TDS levels and the date of the last cleaning displayed for public information.

It further suggested providing earthen pots or matkas at smaller stations during summer as a low-cost alternative for supplying drinking water.

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URJA also requested that availability and functioning of drinking water facilities be incorporated into the DMRC’s station ranking and audit process, with participation of RWAs in fact verification.

The organisation said providing free potable water would reduce commuters’ dependence on single-use plastic bottles and help promote sustainable practices.

The DMRCDMRC network carries more than 65 lakh passengers daily, according to URJA, which said ensuring access to drinking water at stations would provide relief to a large number of commuters.