Introduction:

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) launched the Rail Neer project in 2015 to provide clean, safe, and affordable drinking water to railway passengers. This initiative was part of IRCTC's commitment to enhancing passenger amenities and improving the overall travel experience on Indian Railways. In 2016, Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd joined this effort by becoming the first company to produce Water Vending Machines (WVMs) that dispense drinking water at significantly low and affordable prices.

Rail Neer Project by IRCTC : IRCTC's Rail Neer project aimed to ensure the availability of safe drinking water across railway stations in India. The project was introduced as a measure to address the increasing demand for clean water among railway passengers and to reduce the dependence on bottled water, which often posed environmental and economic concerns.

Introduction of Water Vending Machines by Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd : Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd played a crucial role in the Rail Neer project by developing and installing Water Vending Machines (WVMs) at railway stations. These machines were designed to offer potable water at highly affordable prices, ensuring accessibility for all passengers. The pricing model was as follows:

• 1 liter: ₹2
• 2 liters: ₹5
• 5 liters: ₹10

Implementation:

Deployment Strategy: The deployment of WVMs was strategically planned to maximize convenience for passengers. The machines were installed at key locations on the platforms of the South Central Railways, specifically at the starting, middle, and end points. This ensured that passengers could easily access drinking water regardless of where they were on the platform.

Scale of Installation : A total of 2000 Water Vending Machines were installed across various stations in the South Central Railways zone. This large-scale installation was aimed at covering a significant number of passengers and ensuring a consistent supply of drinking water.

Impact and Benefits:

Enhanced Passenger Convenience: The introduction of WVMs by Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd significantly enhanced passenger convenience by providing easy access to affordable drinking water. Passengers no longer needed to carry their own water or rely on expensive bottled water.

Environmental Benefits: The initiative also contributed to environmental sustainability by reducing the use of plastic bottles. With the availability of water at affordable prices, passengers were encouraged to refill their own bottles, thus minimizing plastic waste.

Economic Impact: The affordable pricing of water dispensed by the WVMs made it accessible to passengers from all economic backgrounds. This was particularly beneficial for long-distance travelers and those from lower-income groups, ensuring that everyone had access to safe drinking water.

Positive Feedback: The Rail Neer project, along with the installation of WVMs, received positive feedback from passengers. The convenience, affordability, and quality of water were highly appreciated, leading to increased satisfaction among railway users.

Challenges and Solutions:

Maintenance and Refilling: One of the challenges faced was the regular maintenance and refilling of the WVMs to ensure uninterrupted service. Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd, in collaboration with IRCTC, implemented a robust maintenance schedule and ensured a reliable supply chain for refilling the machines.

Initial Acceptance: Initially, there was some skepticism among passengers regarding the quality of water from the vending machines. To address this, IRCTC and Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd conducted awareness campaigns highlighting the quality standards and safety measures implemented for the water.

Conclusion :

The Rail Neer project and the introduction of Water Vending Machines by Sreshta Envirotech P Ltd marked a significant step forward in enhancing passenger amenities on Indian Railways. By providing safe, affordable, and easily accessible drinking water, this initiative not only improved passenger convenience but also promoted environmental sustainability. The success of this project demonstrated the positive impact of strategic collaborations in addressing public utility challenges and set a benchmark for future initiatives in the railway sector.