First water train for drought-hit Latur leaves from Kota

Mumbai, Apr 9: One of two goods trains carrying 50 tank wagons of water for drought-affected areas of Latur departed from Kota workshop in Rajasthan for Miraj in Pune division today.

The second goods train consisting of 50 wagons is expected to be ready for water loading around April 15.

"As per instructions from the Ministry of Railways, Kota workshop received two goods trains consisting of 50 tank wagons (BTPN) each for deployment in drought-affected areas of Latur during the summer season and the trips of the trains will be arranged as per the requirement," a railway release stated.

The carrying capacity of these wagons is 54,000 litres of waters per wagon. "The first rake was turned out from workshop today at 1 PM and the train departed for Miraj in Pune division at 2:10 PM.

The second goods train consisting of 50 wagons is expected to be ready for water loading around April 15," it stated. According to the release, the first BTPN rake was received on March 26 and second on March 28 at Kota workshop and steam cleaning, sludge removal, de-scaling, de-greasing and then final cleaning of these wagons were undertaken to make them fit for transportation of drinking water.

Earlier, on a demand from the Rajasthan government, Kota workshop had turned out BTPN rake to transport water from Nasirabad to Bhilwada in Ajmer Division from January 2016 onwards which will continue up to the summer season, the release said.

Maharashtra government had yesterday said Latur district in Marathwada region will get water through train within next 15 days.

PTI