Thiruvananthapuram: With Kerala facing its worst flood in 100 years, Indian Railways on August 17 (Friday) sent 2.8 lakh litre of drinking water to the State through wagons and bottled water.

Rail Neer is being provided from Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai. A total of 8.5 lakh bottles are supplied. The Southern Railways has dispatched one water special train consisting of seven wagons with water tank from Erode Junction station.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal tweeted, "Railways is actively contributing to relief during Kerala floods and has supplied 2.8 Lakhs litres of drinking water and 1 lakh bottles of water are on their way. We are committed towards providing all possible help in this hour of need."

The quantity of Rail Neer (plant-wise) which can be spared for Kerala flood relief:

  • Parassala- 2,40,000 bottles (20,000 cartons)
  • Palur (Chennai)- 4,80,000 bottles (40,000 cartons)
  • Nangloi (Delhi)- 6,00,000 bottles (50,000 cartons) 
  • Danapur (Patna)- 9,60,000 bottles (80,000 cartons) 
  • Ambernath (Mumbai)- 6,00,000 bottles (50,000 cartons)  
  • Amethi- 2,40,000 bottles (20,000 cartons) 
  • Bilaspur- 2,40,000 bottles (20,000 cartons)
  • A total of 33,60,000 bottles ( 2,80,000 cartons) will be sent to Kerala

Kerala Water Authority officials have said high turbidity in the Periyar river had hit pumping and distribution of drinking water supply at several places including Aluva, Eloor and Kalamassery.

Minister Goyal has also announced the decision to provide free railway transport to supply all relief materials to Kerala through various State government agencies, PSUs and other government agencies.