Latur to get water by train in 15 days: Maharashtra govt

Former CM Prithviraj Chavan claimed that the state govt lacks the 'political will' to resolve the water crisis in the Marathwada region

Drought hit Latur district in Marathwada region will get water through train within next 15 days, the Maharashtra Assembly was informed here today.

"We have made arrangements for supplying water through train to Latur. The first such train will reach Latur by next fortnight," Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said, during a discussion on the acute water scarcity in Latur, in the Lower House.

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Khadse rejected claim by former CM Prithviraj Chavan that the BJP-led government in Maharashtra lacks the 'political will' to resolve the water crisis in Latur and other parts of Marathwada.

"We don't want long speeches but a solution. Today, there is no other issue more important than this one," Chavan said, underlining the gravity of the water supply situation.

"All other business on today's agenda should be set aside to enable a discussion on the drought situation," Chavan said.

When we (Congress-NCP) were in power, we brought water through a over 100 km long pipeline to Osmanabad. Couldn't this government undertake a similar project for Latur," Chavan said.

Responding to Chavan's attack, Khadse said "we have the political will and that's why we are bringing water through Railways.

"Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday informed me that if needed, water from Telangana will be supplied to us (Maharashtra).

"No matter whatever the cost, we will supply water to these drought affected areas," Khadse said.