During peak summer season there is a heavy demand of drinking water as number of travellers increases due to closure of schools and festive/marriage season, and this provides an opportunity for selling of unauthorized packaged drinking water on Railway premises. Taking cognisance of it and to curb the menace, an all India two-day drive, "Operation Thirst", was launched on July 8, 9, 2019, on the direction of DG/RPF, Railway Board, New Delhi, according to a Ministry of Railway statement.  

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Under this drive, all the Zonal Principal Chief Security Commissioners (PCSC) were asked to crackdown these unauthorised activities, covering almost all major stations over Indian Railway, the statement said. During the drive, 1371 persons were arrested for selling of packaged drinking water of unauthorised brands, seizing as many as 69294 bottles. Total fine amount of Rs 6,80,855 have been realized from these offenders, said it, adding that 4 pantry car managers involved in selling of the same were also arrested. 

Stalls on platforms were also found selling packaged drinking water bottle of brands which are not authorised by Railways, said the statement, adding that further enquiry into these cases are being made to reach the origin of this activity and those found involved will be taken up accordingly. 

Notably, the special drive will be followed by continuous action by concerned PCSCs on this issue.