No thanks. Uttar Pradesh government refuses Centre's water train for Bundelkhand

Political drama took a boil in scorching heat after Uttar Pradesh government refused a water train sent by Centre to Bundelkhand, area severely affected by drought and water.

"We have no Latur-like problem here," the state's Akhilesh Yadav government has reportedly said in a letter to the railway ministry, referring to the district in Maharashtra where, to tackle a severe crisis, two water trains were sent.

“Currently, we are in no crisis and can manage the situation. If required we will inform railways about the same,” said Akhilesh Yadav government official. The terse letter reflects a battle for credit in the state, which will vote for a new government next year.

The water train was intended to provide relief to about 40 villages facing severe water crisis. Half the hand-pumps have dried up due to the receding water levels. The state government has arranged for water to be drawn from government tubewells and sent to these villages in tankers.

Officials say a water train would be no different, as tankers would have to travel long distances from the railway station to these villages.

It has also been claimed that water train is being used to snatch the credit from Akhilesh Yadav's government, which has distributed relief packages in the region.