Kalimpong goes with flow on water ATMs

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, Kalimpong: The Kalimpong civic body has drawn up a plan to install "water ATMs" in tourist spots and public squares in a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region.

Water ATMs, which are essentially water vending machines, are becoming popular in the country.

Ravi Pradhan, chairman of the Kalimpong municipality, told The Telegraph: "We are planning to install 14 water ATMs. The initiative is being undertaken to ensure safe drinking water is readily available to tourists, children and the common public." Water ATMs basically employ reverse osmosis (RO) technology to ensure potable water is dispensed from the machine. The ATMs could come up in Durpin Gumpa, Janmukti Park, Main Road, Motor Stand and Haat Bazaar. "We will also install these machines at the district hospital premises, some educational institutions and government offices," said Pradhan.

The machines are expected to cost around Rs 3.56 lakh each and the civic body is yet to work out the rates at which water will be given.

Like other hill towns Darjeeling and Kurseong, Kalimpong faces a water crisis, especially during the dry months. "While the water ATMs is for instant pubic convenience, we believe that that the water distribution system has to be properly streamlined in Kalimpong. For this we have prepared a detailed project report of Rs 194 crore," said Pradhan.

During an administrative meeting held by chief minister, Mamata Banerjee in Kalimpong some months ago, the chief minister was informed by state officials that the proposal has been sent to the finance department.

Unlike in Darjeeling and Kurseong, the Kalimpong civic body does not have a role in collecting and distributing water to its resident. This is overseen by the Public Health Engineering department of the state and GTA.

Locals maintain that over the past one year, there has been some improvement in water distribution.

"Water distribution is rotated every two days in these three zones. Leakages are being promptly looked into and the efforts are on to increase the water distribution duration," said a district administration source.

Water is drawn from Neora Khola and Thukchuk Khola and pumped to reservoirs at Deolo, 5km from the town.