Today, Indian Railways successfully delivered 25 lakh litres of water to drought-hit Chennai. The water was delivered using 50 wagons from Jolarpettai station in Vellore district to Villivakkam in Chennai. This special arrangement would continue until the water crisis in Tamil Nadu is resolved.
To help Tamil Nadu overcome the water crisis, Railways has dispatched 25 lakh litres of water today from Jolarpettai in Vellore to Villivakkam in Chennai.
The special arrangement will continue in operation until the water shortage is resolved in Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/y56WMqi7MV
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 12, 2019
Reportedly, the water would be shifted from the wagons to the Kilpauk pumping station from where it would be distributed further. All pipeline arrangements have been readied. Yesterday, workers were busy laying the pipelines between the tracks for a distance of nearly 700km.
Each of the 50 wagons has a capacity of 50,000 litres. As per reports, the train would make trips every day to meet the target of 10 million litres.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami had earlier allocated a sum of Rs 65 crore to transport 10 million litres of water daily by rail from Jolarpettai.
As per Times Now, ministers had caused a delay in delivering the water. The train had arrived at 11:30 am but the ministers had forced them to wait as they were yet to arrive and inaugurate the water train.
#WaterLootPolitics | Makkal is thirsty for water and netas are hungry for photo-ops.
Water train reaches Chennai, but netas ‘block’ supply line. There will be relief after they cut ribbon.
Is politics adding to your pain?Ground report by @NairShilpa1308 & @vivekna10197486. pic.twitter.com/6g2A0gUrF1
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) July 12, 2019
The ministers finally arrived at about 3 pm for the inauguration.
#Breaking | Live visuals: Tamil Nadu ministers inaugurate water train in Chennai finally.
Makkal is thirsty for water and netas are hungry for photo-ops.TIMES NOW’s @NairShilpa1308 reports from the ground. | #WaterLootPolitics pic.twitter.com/HrTQTEZeRN
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) July 12, 2019
For a few months now, the Chennai city has been reeling under acute water shortage after four major reservoirs have completely dried up. Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, had also posted a message on Instagram, sharing his concern for the ongoing water crisis in Tamil Nadu’s capital.
When the move to bring water in from Vellore was first announced, one DMK leader had threatened to protest against the move. On the contrary, DMK, was, at the same time protesting against the state government. The party holds the state government responsible for the current water crisis.
