Bhubaneswar gets its first water ATM

Marking the Local-self Government Day, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday gifted its citizens with the first water ATM OR water vending kiosks of the state and a foot over bridge (FOB).

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched the water ATM, where people can purchase 1 litre of safe drinking water at 30 paisa, at Jharana Sahi slum in Bapuji Nagar area.

While all beneficiaries under Rajiv Awaas Yojana (RAY) will be provided Smart Cards to purchase water, the public can insert one-rupee coin to draw water from the vending machines.

This system, as Bhubaneswar mayor Ananta Narayan Jena told this newspaper, is expected to bridge the shortfall in water supply to some areas in the city and connect more residents to the central water system.

With a slum population of about four lakh, only less than 30 per cent of this segment has access to clean water.

BMC sources said 40 such water vending kiosks and four treatment plants will be completed by the end of this year. Each treatment plant will cater to 10 water vending machines. Areas like slums, bus stands and public places like parks where drinking water is not readily available will be prioritised while selecting locations for the Water ATMs.

BMC will fund the project, estimated to cost Rs 4.93 crore. A private firm will be entrusted with the task of maintenance, sources added.

Patnaik also inaugurated the foot over bridge near Jayadev Vihar where a modern elevator facility is available for the pedestrians. Dustbin, shoe shine machine and mobile charging points are the other key facilities available on the bridge.