The first train carrying 2.5 million litres of water from Jolarpet in Vellore district has reached Chennai yesterday.
The special train with fifty wagons unloaded the water at Villivakkam in Chennai from where it will be taken through pipelines to the pumping station of Metrowater for distribution in the parched city.
Chennai is facing severe water shortage following continuous drought for two consecutive years. It led to the major water bodies that cater to the city needs going bone dry.
To meet the growing needs of the city, the state administration decided to source water from other towns. Jolarpet is some 205 kilometers away from Chennai, where river water source proves to be reliable and therefore water is being brought from the town.
It is set to continue for several months until the situation improves. The water-special rake is capable of running for two to three trips a day, earning up to 7.74 crore rupees revenue a month for the Railways.
Preparatory works like laying pipelines to pump in water from the source at Jolarpet and evacuate the water at Villivakkam in Chennai went on for over two weeks, which have fructified with the arrival of the first train.
It is expected to quench the thirst of the metropolis partially.