The trial run carried 5 lakh liters of water.
By Dileep Thekkethil
Leaving aside his political differences with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday praised the efforts made by the PM in resolving the water crisis in Latur.
Latur, which lies 500 KM from Mumbai, is going through a severe drought early in the summer. As a sigh of relief for the people in Latur, PM Modi directed the authorities sent a “water train” carrying 5 lakh litres of water, which reached the destination on Tuesday.
Even though the train came almost 12 hours late than its scheduled arrival time, that too with water far less than what was promised, people in Latur waited for their turn to collect precious water under tight security as police feared a riot for accessing water.
The water train reached the Latur station with 10 specially designed wagons, carrying water from Miraj in western Maharashtra, almost 300 miles away from Latur.
Latur Collector Pandurang Pole told NDTV: “This was a trial run. Speed is not a consideration. It came as scheduled in the morning,”
In the meanwhile, the Delhi Chief Minister wrote a letter to the Prime Minister offering complete support to his initiative to send water to the drought-hit areas. He wrote that the Delhi government is ready to send 10 lakhs of water every day for the next two months to the drought affected areas in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region if the government makes arrangement for transportation.
“Latur is going through an acute water crisis. The central government has decided to send water to Latur by train. This is an admirable step.
“It will be shameful for the entire country if anyone dies due to water crisis in India in the 21st century. It is the responsibility of the entire country to help the people of Latur,” he said.
“Delhi also faces water shortages. But considering the sinister situation in Latur, it is our responsibility to help people there. If you find it appropriate, you may appeal the chief ministers of other states in this regard. I am sure they will also extend a helping hand,” Kejriwal said.