RMC to install GPS to monitor water tankers

Global Positioning System (GPS) will keep an eye on the movement of tankers supplying free water in the dry areas of the Chhattisgarh capital.

Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) has decided to install the GPS in water tankers to enable the officials to effectively monitor and nab the tanker drivers who allegedly sell drinking water meant for free supply to slum dwellers, and dry pockets.

A Delhi-based company has bagged the contract for installing the GPS equipment at a cost of Rs 4,950 per tanker, Dinesh Jain, a senior RMC official said.

The corporation issued the work order to the company to start the project, he added.

In the first phase, GPS equipment would be installed in 100 tankers.

The aim of fitting the tankers with GPS equipment is to check water theft as the corporation has been receiving complaints about the tanker crew selling water to private parties and commercial establishments.

Besides the municipal corporation commissioner, the in-charge of water supply committee and Executive Engineer of water supply will be provided the user name and password to access information for tracking the location of the water tanker, Jain said.

Sources said that about 100 water tankers were making 600 trips daily to supply water in the areas across the state capital that are reeling under drinking water crisis.