Indian Railways has announced a price cut on its packaged drinking water brand Rail Neer, bringing relief to millions of passengers across the country. The move comes as part of the upcoming GST 2.0 framework, which aims to rationalize rates and make essential services more affordable.
According to railway officials, the cost of a 1-liter Rail Neer bottle, currently priced at ₹15, will be reduced to align with the revised tax structure under GST 2.0. The exact revised price is expected to be announced soon, but officials confirmed that passengers will pay less than the current rate.
The decision is expected to impact more than 6 crore bottles sold every month on trains and at railway stations. Indian Railways, which operates one of the largest packaged water supply chains in India through its subsidiary IRCTC, said the move will directly benefit passengers while ensuring quality and safety standards are maintained.
Officials noted that the price cut is also aimed at curbing the sale of unauthorized bottled water brands at railway stations, a long-standing problem for passengers. By making Rail Neer more affordable, the government hopes to encourage passengers to choose the official brand.
Industry experts say this step highlights how GST 2.0 is designed to rationalize prices across essential commodities, removing anomalies from the earlier tax system. For passengers, the reduced Rail Neer price is not just about savings but also about safer access to clean drinking water during journeys.
The Indian Railways has assured that supply will be scaled up to meet the expected rise in demand once the new pricing comes into effect under the GST 2.0 rollout.
