Pune: The Indian Railways has taken up the initiative to help flood ravaged Kerala. Railways will transport relief material contributed by various government and non-government organisations without charging anything for the service. On Saturday, the Pune railway division sent 7 lakh litres of drinking water to Kerala from Ghorpadi.
“Consignment, whether in the rake of goods stock or parcel vans, should be booked. It would be more appropriate if consignor/consignee is the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner,” said Krishnath Patil, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager. More information can be obtained from 9766353772 from Commercial Control, Pune.
A train carrying 29 wagons filled with drinking water was dispatched to Kayamkulam Junction in the coastal part of Kerala from Pune on Saturday afternoon, as the flood hit state is suffering from severe shortage of drinking water, Indian Railways officials said.
The water train contained a total of 14.5 lakh litres of water, half of which had come from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh in 15 coaches while 14 coaches were filled at Pune Coaching Complex, with some help from Pune Fire Brigade, before being dispatched for Kayamkulam at about 1 pm on Saturday.
As per Milind Deouskar, Divisional Railway Manager (Pune), Pune Division took the initiative after Railway Ministry enquired which division had the capacity to fill the wagons with water in minimal time.
“We stepped forward and took the responsibility. 15 wagons were being filled in Ratlam and 14 were sent to us. We filled them within eight hours from 4 am on Friday morning to 12 noon on Saturday. Before the wagons from Ratlam arrived, we had kept the 14 wagons ready and filled with drinking water. Once other wagons came from Ratlam, we attached them with ours and dispatched the train consisting of 29 wagons carrying 14.5 lakh litres of drinking water,” said Deouskar.
He said that the special train will reach Kayamkulam via Daund, Wadi and Renugunta. After the train reaches the destination, government of Kerala will distribute this water to flood-affected people.
