A defunct cold drinking water kiosk at Vani Vihar Square. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, June 3: Five defunct cold drinking water kiosks, set up by the municipal corporation, will be revived with the help of a city-based youth service organisation.

These kiosks are located at Vani Vihar Square, BJB Nagar (near the sub-registrar’s office), Forest Park, CRPF Square and Ananda Bazaar (near the Regional Institute of Education).

The Bhubaneswar branch of the Marwari Yuva Manch will re-install the facilities for Rs 7.5 lakh, while the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation will bear the cost of electricity and water supply to the kiosks.

Municipal commissioner Sanjib Kumar Mishra said: “The kiosks were set up more than 10 years ago, and many of them were damaged because of either road expansion or neglect. In many cases, the machines ceased to function.”

President of the manch Mukesh Goenka said: “After installation of the kiosks, we will take up their repair and maintenance. From the civic body, we only expect water and uninterrupted power supply to the kiosks.”

Goenka said the corporation council had given the green signal. “Our offer letter is lying with the corporation. When they call us and entrust the responsibilities, we will start construction of the kiosks,” he said.

Secretary of the manch Amit Saraf said: “The terms and conditions say the corporation will take care of the outstanding power bills. It, however, also mentions that the manch will pay the electric bills for the glow signboards near the kiosks. We will also employ a supervisor to man the kiosks for their overall maintenance.”

College student Aishwarya Laxmi said: “Water kiosks are badly requirednear major squares and places such as the city bus depot, and the authorities should ensure the water quality.”

The manch office-bearers will launch a jal chhatra (water distribution camp) near Rasulgarh on June 5. It will operate till the heat wave-like conditions prevail in the city.

“We are planning to put enough cover overhead, so that the pedestrians can have various types of traditional cool drinks, and at a time, nearly 200 people can drink there,” said Goenka.

He also said that if the authorities operating city buses permitted them, they would start a water distribution programme at Master Canteen bus depot. They can also offer the same service at Pokhariput when the terminal is shifted there.