State explores new source of water for parched Latur

The Jaldoot, a water train between Miraj and Latur, has made 10 trips and supplied 70 lakh litres of water in the past two weeks. The train has now been upgraded with 50 wagons

The state government has requested the railway ministry for an additional train to fetch water from Jalna-based Dudhana dam, closer than its current source of water in Miraj. The water from the dam will be in addition to the existing train, which provides around five lakh litres per trip to Latur.

A train carrying water arrives at Latur railway station on Wednesday. (Sagar Joshi/HT)

“Dudhana project is 250km away, while the current source in Miraj is 390km away. We can use the new source to supply 50 lakh litres of water a day, in addition to the existing supply,” said revenue minister Eknath Khadse on Wednesday.

The Jaldoot, a water train between Miraj and Latur, has made 10 trips and supplied 70 lakh litres of water in the past two weeks. The train has now been upgraded with 50 wagons.

The government has promised to continue the supply till the onset of monsoon.

“The water train will run four times a week and we are trying to run it on daily basis to ensure the supply of 25 lakh litres of water a day. We have spoken to railway minister Suresh Prabhu for the new train to be run on a daily basis. We have already brought 50 lakh litres from Lower Terna. We are tapping the possibility of uninterrupted supply from the project,” Khadse said.

The state government has decided to implement the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme with the help of banks and insurance companies. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the meeting of officers from various departments and directed them to ensure effective implementation of the scheme and create awareness among farmers.