Maha asks Railways to supply clean water to vegetable growers

The Maharashtra Government has issued a notice to the Railways administration asking them to provide clean water for cultivation of vegetables along the tracks on its suburban network, the Legislative Council was told.
This was stated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a written reply to a starred question raised by Kiran Pawaskar (NCP) and others.
The CM, however, stated the possibility of cultivators using waste water from nearby flowing drains cannot be ruled out.
Fadnvais said the Railways has allowed its staffers to grow vegetables on vacant plots of land alongside the tracks in order to prevent encroachment by anti-social elements.

"There is no scientific study that has been brought to the notice of the government that the vegetables cultivated along the railway tracks lead to spread of diseases like cancer, diabetes and other ailments," he said.
In his query, Pawaskar contended the vegetables grown near the tracks on the suburban network have been known to cause stomach ailments, cancer and diabetes.
The CM said no complaints have been made to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in this regard.
The Railways has been issued notice urging them to permit only those cultivators who use clean water.