Balangir: A paid water ATM, installed near the children park in the town, drew flak from residents, who had otherwise thought it to be a free service.

On Wednesday, local MP Kalieksh Narayan Singhdeo inaugurated the water ATM, the first of its kind in Balangir.

While launching the facility, Singhdeo said its purpose was to provide cold and pure potable water to the residents. "Town residents should reap benefit of the water ATM. Cold and pure water will be provided through the water ATM. Ten more such water ATMs are coming up and will be installed in various parts of the town in the coming days," the MP had said.

But, the residents reacted sharply after they got to know that it was a paid service. The board at the ATM says that one will have to pay Re 1 for 250ml, Rs 5 for 1 litre, Rs 10 for 5 litres and Rs 20 for 10 litres.

They alleged that projects like water ATM where people had to purchase water was quite unbecoming for a town like Balangir.

Sitanshu Mishra, a local resident, said: "Initially, I thought it was a free service. This morning, I came to know about the charges. I saw many people, who had gathered there to fetch water, returned empty handed after knowing that it was a paid service."