June 21, 2014
WB Govt to launch bottled drinking water – Pran Dhara
The West Bengal Government has ventured toproduce bottled drinking water Pran Dharawith 8 bottling plants across the state. The Public Health & EngineeringDepartment, responsible for supplying safe drinking water to all the people ofthe state has done a record amount of work though it had to create properinfrastructure.
During the period from May, 2011 tillMarch, 2013, 271 piped water supply schemes have been sanctioned to cover apopulation of 62,75,993. During the same period, coverage of Rural Populationthrough Piped Water facility has enhanced from 37.95% to 42%. Further,approximately 19,500 spot sources for water supply have been created during theperiod.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the eightsuch Water Bottling Plants in South 24 Paraganas, Siliguri, Coochbehar, Malda,Murshidabad, Purbasthali, Haringhata and Barrackpore with an estimated cost ofRs 42.82 crore had been prepared. In the first phase, the work in South 24Paraganas has been completed and three plants at Haringhata, Nadia,Purbasthali, Bardhaman, Lalbag and Murshidabad are being implemented.
The bottled water is already available in500 ml and 1000 ml containers. While the 500 ml bottles are priced at Rs 7, the1000 ml bottles are priced at Rs 12 per unit. All state government departments,government undertakings, urban and local bodies have been asked to place theirrequirement orders for this cheap but good quality product.
