The first train carrying water to Chennai was flagged off from Jolarpet station in Vellore district on July 12. 50 wagons have been brought from Rajasthan and each wagon will transport 50,000 litres of water. The train will make at least 3 trips a day to bring approximately 7.5 million litres of water, costing Rs 7.5 lakh per trip.
The water in the wagons will be sent to a treatment plant upon reaching Chennai after passing through a conduit. An official of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board told PTI,
“After treatment, it would be sent for distribution. This arrangement has been made for the next six months until the (advent of the) north-east monsoon.”
This is the first time in 18 years that Chennai will get water from neighbouring districts to ensure a minimum supply of 525 million litres. Residents are largely dependant on privately-owned tankers as the city’s water supply has been cut by 40% due to dried reservoirs and inadequate monsoon.
