Ferozepur Divisional Railway Manager has barred am NGO from providing drinking water at Phagwara railway station, claiming it was doing so without permission.
He also claimed water distributed as contaminated.
"There is shortage of water at the railway station but that does not mean anyone can start providing drinking water to people. If someone falls sick or faces any problem after drinking this water, who will be responsible for that?" Divisional Railway Manager Anuj Prakash told PTI.
"We have asked Janata Jal Committee, which is doing the water service, to come and meet us. They should discuss the matter and take the permission to continue the service," he said.
Prakash claimed the water which is distributed is suspected to be contaminated, which is why he stopped the practice.
The committee has been distributing free drinking water to people at its own expense for the past 30 years at Phagwara railway station in Punjab.
Meanwhile, local BJP leader Rajat Mohindru has alleged the move by the railway official was aimed at benefiting the private companies that sell bottled drinking water.
"On one hand the railway station is facing water scarcity and, if an outfit is giving water to commuters, why does the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) has any problem with that, no one has complained about their water in the past 30 years," Mohindru said.
"Such organisations should be encouraged so that people facing water shortage can avail it easily. I will also write a letter to the Rail Minister regarding this issue," he said.
Refuting the BJP leader's allegations, Prakash said the water is unhygienic and the organisation is neither registered, nor they have any permission.
"It is a completely illegal act and cannot be allowed," he said.
