Centre, UP fights over empty water train sent to Bundelkhand

Saurabh Sharma

Lucknow: The water politics in drought-hit Bundelkhand region in Uttar Pradesh took a funny turn when the Central government sent an empty ten-wagon train to Jhansi.

This was after the state government declined the offer of the Centre saying ''there is no such situation like Latur of Maharashtra. We have enough water to cater to Mahoba district or any drought hit place in Bundelkhand.'' It came close on the heels of the Centre's assurance to sent water train to UP on the lines of what it did in Latur,Maharashtra few days ago.

The official statement from Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan’s office read that the government was capable enough to meet the requirement of water in parched Mahoba and adjacent areas through road tankers.

Asked for tankers not water:

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has requested the Government of India to send 10,000 water road tankers so that water can be supplied in drought hit regions. The water for the tankers would be taken from the nearest water resources around the region.

UPCM @yadavakhilesh requests GOI for 10,000 road tankers to distribute water in Bundelkhand from available water resources around the region

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) 5 May 2016

District officials of Chitrakoot, Bundelkhand ensuring water in ponds/lakes across the district for people pic.twitter.com/rvV7kYO57e — Government of UP (@UPGovt) 5 May 2016

District officials of Chitrakoot, Bundelkhand ensuring water for all. pic.twitter.com/IeIOG7ZLQj

— Government of UP (@UPGovt) 5 May 2016

47 district officials are supervising the water supply operation of Chitrakoot, Bundelkhand ensuring water for all. pic.twitter.com/EfzEbc7Jtk — Government of UP (@UPGovt) 5 May 2016

The main water reservoir in Banda, Bundelkhand restored to support water supply to the people of Banda. pic.twitter.com/MmqbwATdvt

— Government of UP (@UPGovt) 5 May 2016

Meeting:

A meeting between divisional railway manager Jhansi, district magistrate of Jhansi and Mahoba was also chaired on Wednesday evening to discuss out the matter, additional divisional railway manager, Jhansi, Vineet Singh told newztrack.com over telephone.

The minutes came to a conclusion that there was enough water in Jhansi to meet the requirements and they were also supplying water in remote areas through road water tankers.

Condition in Jhansi:

The Jhansi district administration is presently operating with 32 tankers in 26 districts while 235 tankers have been kept in reserve, said DM Jhansi Ajay Kumar.

Mahoba:

As per the telephonic conversation with Vineet Singh, DM Mahoba apprised him that the situation in the district was not so bad that a water train was to be sent. The administration is taking stock of the situation and there are enough resources to supply water through roads even in far flung areas of drought hit Mahoba.

Commissioner says:

Divisional commissioner Jhansi, K Ram Mohan Rao, when contacted said he was not aware that a train has been sent from Ratlam to Jhansi. Adding, there was enough water in their division to meet out the requirements.

Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister:

Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav on Thursday said their government has made adequate arrangements for water in the Bundelkhand region and there was no need of a train.