Hurdles in railways plan to supply water to Latur hits roadblock

Nashik: The railways' plan to transport eight water tankers from Bhusawal in Jalgaon district to the parched Marathwada region has hit a roadblock with the Jalgaon collector expressing reservations over committing water supply for the tankers.
"At this point, we do not have any information about the railways' plan to transport water from Bhusawal to Latur and other parts of Marathwada.We have not given the railways any permission to lift water from the Hatnoor dam here. However, they may have other sources of water," collector Rubal Agarwal said.
Jalgaon district is also reeling under drought and the administration is struggling to provide water for the citizens. "Saving drinking water for citizens is our top priority. We would want to know from where the railways plans to source water. Any decision about releasing water for Marathwada can only be taken by the district committee," Agarwal said.
Railway officials said they were looking at water supply from the dam. "We do not have water at our disposal. If at all we get water, it will be from pipelines connected to the Hatnoor dam. But any decision to transport water will only be taken with the consent of the district water body and water resource department," a railway official said.