Water train to dewater flood-hit Kawas

Barmer, Sept 13: The state government has sought the help of a water train to dewater the marooned Kawas village from stagnant flood water.

According to S B Gandhi, chief PRO of North-Western Railways (NRW), the first water train comprising 72 tankers with a capacity of 22,000 litres each will be able to decant 15 lakh litre of water in one trip. The train has reached Bania Sanda Dhora station, about 17 kms from Kawas village, on request of the state government.

According to government sources, the dewatering of the village with the help of powerful pumps provided by the ONGC have been effective but considering the enormity of the problem at hand, the government is exploring the option of using water trains.

According to the plan, water would be pumped into the water trains and emptied into the seasonal Luni river.

According to Lalit K Panwar, principal secretary, Relief ''the water removal has been accorded highest priority and the high capacity pumps by ONGC normally used for fire fighting at oil wells pump out about 7 lakh gallon water daily.'' The state government has sought the help of the water train to expedite the process.

UNI