If you can book flowers and clothes online, why not water, especially if you have guests at home and need more?

Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Monday launched an online water tanker system on the lines of the ones used in some Indian cities to help Net-savvy people arrange water in large quantities in a hassle-free way.

State urban development minister C.P. Singh along with Ranchi mayor Asha Lakra launched the online tanker booking system - via Internet and mobile app - from RMC's water refilling station at Bakri Bazar.

Earlier, people could book water tanker requirements via a token at any of the two RMC refilling stations at Bakri Bazar and Doranda. With the online booking option, people can visit the municipal corporation's website or download the RMC Water Tanker Booking app from Google PlayStore.

To implement the online facility, which is separate from the manual one, RMC has hired city-based Spin Orbit Water Tanker on a three-year contract.

People can download the app or book on http://www.rmcwatertanker.com/ in the existing RMC website to book water tankers 24/7. There is a payment gateway for online payment.

Subject to availability, tankers will be supplied within two hours of the confirmation of order generated in working hours between 9am and 5pm. RMC has provided a number 7360039694 for customers to know the actual delivery time.

"For the online facility, 15 water tankers of various capacities will be available for now, including 2,000 litres (10 tankers), 4,000 litres (four tankers) and 5,000 litres (one tanker)," said RMC health officer Kiran Kumari.

RMC also handed over 10 water tankers to Spin Orbit Water Tanker on Monday.

The idea of online booking was mooted Ranchi deputy mayor Sanjeev Vijayvargiya who learnt about its implementation Vellore and Hyderabad last year during a personal visit.

"I don't want to claim too much about the new scheme too soon. But, if it gets good public response, it will be replicated on a large scale. Then, other private agencies may also be roped in," said the deputy mayor.

RMC has also decided to increase centres for offline booking of tankers. New centres will be opened at Kanke Road, Ratu Road and Doranda.

RMC currently has 65 water tankers that are supplied across all its 55 municipal wards. The civic body charges Rs 500 for 2,000 litres, Rs 800 for Rs 4,000 litres and Rs 900 for Rs 5,000 litres.