Maharshtra: 'Water train' to arrive today in Latur, pipeline not ready

New Delhi: One of two goods trains carrying 50 tank wagons, to help supply water for drought-affected areas of Latur, is about to reach Miraj in Pune division but the 4.5 km long pipe line through which water would be taken out from Krishna river is not yet been laid down. According to sources, the pipeline is yet to get government clarification. The plan is to lift water from the Krishna river in Miraj, treat it at the local water treatment plant and then put it inside the wagons. It clearly shows the state government's lack of seriousness in dealing with the current water crises in Maharashtra. The second goods train consisting of 50 wagons is expected to be ready for water loading around April 15. The carrying capacity of these wagons is 54,000 litres of waters per wagon. The State and Central Railway had drawn up the plan to transport drinking water from Miraj station in Sangli district to Latur, which is reeling under severe water crisis. Amid an unprecedented scarcity of water, district collector Pandurang Pol last month clamped section 144 of CrPC in drought-stricken Latur to bar assembly of more than five people around the wells and water filling points to prevent possible violence.