Shimla: Now, you can buy drinking water by
using an ATM card in this Himachal Pradesh capital, the first in the state and
perhaps in the country.
Chief
Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday opened the innovative water dispensing system
at the Ridge to provide clean water to tourists and locals.
The
machine will dispense a litre of water for 50 paise.
"If
this pilot project is a success, more water ATMs will be installed in the
prominent tourist destinations of the state," Virbhadra Singh said.
Non-profit
group Piramal Sarvajal has put up the water vending machine, which can also be
operated through prepaid cards.
"The
ATM will operate round the clock and water will cost 50 paise per litre,"
the foundation said.
The
group added it is extremely simple to use, as like any usual ATM, the customer
swipes a prepaid card and chooses the amount of water he wishes to buy.
Similar
machines will be installed at Shimla's old bus stand and Vikasnagar locality,
Dharamsala and Mandi towns and at the famous Hindu shrine of Chintpurni in Una
district under the build-operate-maintain-manage basis.
IANS