Vellore Corpn plans smart cards for water supply through kiosks

VELLORE: Dry areas in Vellore town will soon be able to get water through dispensing machines with the help of smart cards.

Informing this to DT Next, Corporation Commissioner S Ashok Kumar said, “We are working out the modalities to provide land and water to a private operator, who will in turn provide RO water through smart cards to the public.”

The Corporation is planning to implement the first phase of the scheme at a cost of Rs 30 lakh and it would be operational in three months. “In the first phase, we plan to open such kiosks at four locations, including the farmers’ shandy at Katpadi, near CMC Hospital, the old fish market on Anna Salai and at the new Vellore bus terminus.”

Elaborating he said, “Around 1,000 sqft space will be provided at the four chosen locations with connections to the Corporation’s local borewells. Each kiosk will have a capacity to provide 24,000 litres water daily at the rate of 1,000 litres per hour.”

“The private operator will provide ATM like rechargeable cards with which public can draw 20 litres of water for Rs 8. Once the scheme becomes operational and based on the response it receives form the public the scheme will be expanded to each of the 60 wards in the Corporation limits,” he said.

When the news about the scheme trickled out, other state visitors, who reside near CMC were the happiest as presently they purchase drinking water from private vendors at Rs 5 for 3 litres. “This scheme will help us save money as we will get more water at lesser cost,” said a visitor.

For bulk water needs, the kiosk will provide water based on the recommendation of the councillor of the respective area, officials said.