JAMMU, Oct 20: In a significant move, the city of Jammu, renowned for its temples, has introduced water ATMs providing mineral water (RO) to the public at no charge. These innovative water ATMs are being strategically installed at various prominent locations throughout the city and at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu (GMC&H), the region’s premier healthcare institution.
Currently, these water ATMs can be found at key sites, including Dogra Chowk along the BC Road, the vicinity of Gandhi Nagar Hospital, the historic Bahu Fort, Apsara Road in Gandhi Nagar, and several other notable areas within the city.
Mr Prashar, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) at Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), revealed, “The water ATMs have been deployed at twenty-three prominent locations in Jammu City. They will soon be extended to all hospitals in Jammu and additional significant city sites.”
At present, these ATMs offer free access to clean and hygienic water, catering to the needs of both residents and tourists. The primary objective is to ensure that the public has access to safe drinking water.
The installation of these water ATMs for the free distribution of mineral water is part of the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) Project. Municipal officials have expressed concern about water coolers in the city, which have often dispensed contaminated water due to inadequate maintenance, leading to waterborne diseases.
The plan is to place these water ATMs in close proximity to major temples in the city and adjacent to key parks, providing pilgrims and visitors with access to hygienic water.
While the current service is free, the next phase will involve awarding Operation Maintenance contracts to stakeholders for a period of 3-5 years to ensure the upkeep of these ATMs. After the contract allocation, a nominal fee structure is expected to be introduced, with rates as low as Rs 1 or 2 for a 5-liter water bottle and Rs 2 or 3 for a 10-liter water bottle.
