New Delhi,September 20(HS): In a passenger-friendly move, the Indian Railways Board has announced a reduction in the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of its bottled drinking water brand ‘Rail Neer’ alongside other shortlisted brands available at railway stations and on trains. Effective from September 22, 2025, the price of a one-litre bottle will be reduced from Rs 15 to Rs 14, while the 500 ml bottle’s price will drop from Rs 10 to Rs 9.

The Railway Ministry issued a commercial circular on Saturday confirming that the new pricing will be uniformly applied across all zones and on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)-approved brands. This decision aligns with the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, which have lowered the tax rate on packaged drinking water from 12% to 5%, enabling direct consumer benefits through reduced prices.

This price cut is part of a broader effort to ease travel expenses and promote affordability for millions of passengers nation-wide who rely on rail travel. The Ministry of Railways has already directed all zonal railways and IRCTC to implement the revised prices promptly from September 22.

Passengers can now look forward to more affordable hydration options during their journeys, reflecting Indian Railways’ commitment to customer welfare and responsiveness to tax reforms .

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar