Jammu, July 4: The Army on Wednesday said it has rescued a large number of passengers stranded in 50 vehicles due to landslides on the Mughal Road connecting Jammu region with the Kashmir Valley.

"Army rescued stranded travellers near Behramgala in Poonch district on the night of July 3 and 4," Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Colonel Devender Anand said.

"Army also provided medical aid to the injured and comforts in terms of blankets and food to stranded persons," he said. 

On the night of July 3, at around 10 p.m., a massive landslide hit the Mughal Road. About 50 vehicles and a large number of travellers got stranded on the stretch. 

"A desperate call for help was received by the Army, which immediately sprang into action and reached the landslide area," the spokesperson said.

The rescue operation was assisted by the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police and Border Roads Organisation personnel.

"The rescue operation which was conducted under darkness and harsh weather conditions lasted till early Wednesday and all persons and vehicles stranded were safely evacuated," the spokesman added.

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New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.

Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.

"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.

"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country

"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.

"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.

Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.

"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.

"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.