Water reaching Latur by train is just the first step towards tackling severe shortage in the town.
The second 50-wagon water train reached drought-ravaged Latur early Thursday morning adding another 25 lakh litres of water to the city's reserves.
The loco-pilot of the train, Santosh, who belongs to Solapur, another Maharashtra district that isn't new to water shortage, said it is heartening to be a part of this initiative.
"I've experienced water shortage in Solapur but nothing as severe as what I'm seeing now. People are migrating because they don't have water. I'm happy I've been able to help and contribute in a small way," he told NDTV.
His assistant, Yogendra Kumar added, "People are thrilled to see the train when it pulls into the station. We have also seen impromptu celebrations even when the 10-wagon train would come to the station."
Water reaching Latur by train is just the first step towards tackling severe shortage in the town. From here, the wagons are emptied and the water is filled into tankers that are taken to a filtration plant before the municipal authorities distribute it in the city.
But, for 40-year-old Meera Suryawanshi and her neighbours, the arrival of the water trains hasn't made any difference in their daily routine, one that's uncertain and revolves entirely around when there is water to fill.
"Each of us is allowed only 5 pots of water," said Ms. Suryawanshi, "I have been in line since 5 in the morning and my turn will only come at 4 in the afternoon." Her 24-year-old neighbour Nisha Patil added angrily, "So far the water hasn't reached us."
Private water tankers are an accepted reality in this region, as are the long queues. With the train set to bring in 25 lakh litres on a daily basis, the city's five lakh residents hope that their long wait for water will finally end. The train though will not service those in the rural areas, where the scramble for water continues.