Bhubaneswar, July 12: The municipal corporation today inked a pact with Piramal Sarvajal, a mission-driven social enterprise, to execute the ambitious water ATM project in the city. The civic body had initiated the project in 2014.

Initially, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and its private partner will build four water purification plants at Mulapadia, Saliasahi, Laxmi Sagar and Niladri Vihar. In the next phase, the executors will install the water dispensing units coupled with smart card facility at 40 selected sites. All the units will run on solar power.

The civic body officials have planned to install the units mainly in the slums where safe drinking water is a cause for concern.

Anyone can get the prepaid card by paying Rs 50. The card will have a top-up balance of Rs 20. The users will be charged at 60 paise per litre.

Notably, the private partner will do the job of designing and be responsible for maintenance of the plants and the dispensing units.

The civic body will spend Rs 4.93 crore on the project.

"After New Delhi, Bhubaneswar will be the only city in India to have such water ATMs. It has been a success in the National Capital Region, where thousands are getting the benefit of safe drinking water. We plan to execute the project in the next one year," said Anuj Sharma of Piramal Sarvajal.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said the water ATMs would benefit the citizens.

"Citizens can fetch safe drinking water from these units by paying 60 paise. We are also in talks with Piramal Sarvajal to add a facility in the machines that would allow anyone to fetch water by inserting coins. This facility will help commuters quench their thirst," said Jena.

"It is a good move by the city administration to provide such a facility. Safe drinking water has become a necessity in Bhubaneswar, especially after the jaundice outbreak. The administration should think of putting such facilities in all corners of the city, especially in markets and public places," said Suman Mallik, a resident of Damana.