The Uttar Pradesh Government on Thursday turned down Centre's help for providing water to the drought-affected Bundelkhand region in the state. The train with 10 water wagons reached Jhansi on Thursday and was scheduled to arrive at Mahoba on May 6. But the UP Government refused to let the train enter the region claiming there was no need for additional water.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's government reportedly wrote to the Railway Ministry that UP does not have a Latur-like water crisis and will inform the Centre if it requires water from outside the state.

UP Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan also asserted that the situation in the region is under control. "We have bought the tankers. If we require anything then we will ask for Centre's assistance. As of now, we don't need the train as the situation is under control," he said.

Yadav is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the drought situation in the state and water crisis in Bundelkhand in Delhi on May 7. According to officials, 40 villages in Mahoba in Bundelakhand are facing acute water shortage.

Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has hit out at the UP Government calling it a deaf and dumb regime. "UP government is deaf and dumb. The entire UP, especially Bundelkhand, is facing a drought but the CM is enjoying. Time has come to remove the SP government," BSP leader Sudhendra Bhaduria said.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had on Wednesday assured all help for Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh. "Bundelkhand is suffering from water shortage. We are working on supplying water through trains, putting Logistics in place to help our brethren,” Prabhu tweeted on Wednesday.