The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday refused the 'water train' offered by the Cenral government for parched Mahoba in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh.

The train with 10 water wagons reached Jhansi on Thursday and was scheduled to reach Mahoba on Friday, May 6.

However, UP officials said, "The water train is not required as there is no Latur like situation here." The ruling Samajwadi Party accuses local BJP leaders of asking the Centre for a water train in a desperate attempt to snatch credit from Akhilesh Yadav's government, which has distributed relief packets in the region.

 
But that's apparently not what UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav thinks. Akhilesh will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the severe drought and water crisis in Bundelkhand in New Delhi on May 7.

Yesterday, Suresh Prabhu, Union Railway minster had tweeted: "Bundelkhand is suffering water shortage. We are working on supplying water through trains, putting logistics in place to help our brethren."


Bundelkhand is facing a severe heat wave and drought and the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a special package for the parched area, while the Centre has chalked out a multi- pronged strategy to mitigate the woes of distressed farmers.

Bundelkhand region is home to 18.3 million people as per 2011 census and is blighted by drought and unseasonal rain that destroyed standing winter crops. Over the last few years, several farmers have committed suicide in the region.