Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 30:

In a first in Odisha, water vending machine was installed in the capital city for the convenience of the people to access safe drinking water.

On the eve of Local Self Government Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the first water ATM at Jharana Sahi here today.

Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had entered into an MoU with Sarvajal Piramal for setting up of the ATMs where a vending machine has been built at an estimated cost of Rs 12.5 lakh. The civic body will set up ATMs at 40 locations of the city in subsequent phases. For this, four treatment plants will be built to supply potable water to the outlets.

With this, Bhubaneswar becomes the second city after New Delhi to offer water ATM facility.

Besides, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a slew of projects in the city. Patnaik inaugurated a Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Jaydev Vihar constructed in public private partnership (PPP) mode having escalator facility for senior citizens and physically challenged persons.

In addition to this, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of the proposed BMC office near Kalyan Mandap under Unit VIII area.

Further, Patnaik also inaugurated five community centres in Ward No 22 and laid foundation stones for two parks at Bhimtangi Housing Board Phase-I and GGP Colony under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme.