34 Metro stations to get water ATMs soon
ALTHOUGH THE COST IS YET TO BE FINALISED, SOURCES SAID 250ML OF DRINKING WATER WILL COST ₹2 AND A LITRE WILL COST ₹5
NEWDELHI:After receiving scores of suggestions from commuters who demanded that drinking water should be easily available at Delhi Metro premises, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to install Water ATMs at a number of its stations.
To start with, 34 stations have been identified where the facility will be started. These stations include Mandi House, Yamuna Bank, Indraprastha, Patel Nagar, Rajendra Place, Jhandewalan, RK Ashram Marg, Tagore Garden, Dwarka.
“Stations on the Blue Line have been chosen for the first phase as it is the busiest line. Tenders have been floated for the same. While we would give space, the licensee will install, operate and maintain the Water ATMs at their own cost. Dustbins will be mandatory to avoid littering,” a Metro official said.
This expansion comes nearly a year after the first water ATM was installed in 2016 at Kashmere Gate Metro station. Although the cost is yet to be finalised, sources said 250ml of drinking water will cost ₹2 and ₹5 will be charged for a litre.
“Healthy drinking water has been a long standing demand made by our commuters. In almost all our surveys this has been a point raised by metro users. So, we are now addressing the issue,” the official added. Besides, the move will also help DMRC generate non-operative revenue by licensing out its spaces for the water ATMs.
The machines will be able to dispense 15 litres of water every minute and the tank storage capacity of purified water will be at least 250 litres. “The water tank will be cleaned at an interval of every three months and its external body will be made of stainless steel. The licensee has to ensure that the Water ATM unit remains rust-free and is in clean condition,” another Metro official said.
DMRC will also take monthly report of each Water ATM which would include total sale, down time of ATMs, total water consumption, total water conversion, wastage of water among other things.