Eknath Khadse tour via helicopter led to water wastage: Congress

Congress on Friday criticised revenue and rehabilitation minister Eknath Khadse for using helicopter for his tour of drought-hit Marathwada, leading to wastage of thousands of litres of water for making a helipad. Khadse, however, maintained that water was being used only where it was necessary and not a single drop was wasted.

Khadse was on Marathwada tour and Congress spokesperson Sachin Savant said that just to avoid 15-20 minutes journey by road Khadse used helicopter. "For his Latur tour, thousands of litres of water was used for making a helipad," said Savant, adding "Was it worth making a helipad when the region is drought-hit."

He said that on one hand the government was providing water to Latur by train and on the other hand the minister was wasting water just for saving his 15-20 minutes. "This use of water for making a helipad was nothing but waste and people of the state would not tolerate this arrogance of the government," Savant added.

Savant demanded an apology on the part of the minister. Meanwhile, Khadse held a meeting with the district collectors and reviewed supply of water by train to Latur. "Water problem for the city of Latur would come to an end now with water train making rounds of Latur from Miraj. State government is committed to provide water to all the drought-hit areas," he said.