Railways to use 50-wagon train to transport water to Latur

New Delhi, Apr 12: After pressing a special train in service for carrying water to Latur, another train consisting of 50 wagons is getting ready to transport potable water to the parched area in the Marathawada region.

While the first train of 10 wagons carrying 5 lakh litres of water reached Latur on Tuesday, another rake is getting steam cleaned at Kota and it will be pressed into service shortly, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The official said railways will make available a third rail, if required, for supplying water in Maharashtra as it is committed to continue the water transportation to the parched areas.

Asked about the cost incurred in the whole water transportation exercise as railways is using wagons meant for mineral oil, Railway Board Member (Traffic) Mohd Jamshed said "The priority is not the cost factor here. Whatever is good for the nation, it is good for the Railways."

However, according to the calculation, it cost about Rs 1 crore per rake to railways for carrying the water from Krishna river to Latur.

The cost involves the rate of the wagons, steam cleaning exercise and transportation. The water train service is likely to continue till the arrival of monsoon.

Besides Latur, Jamshed said railways is already doing the similar exercise in Rajasthan and the state government is paying for it. Currently water is being transported by train from Nashirabad to Bhilwara in Rajasthan.

PTI