Bottled water business on the growth path in Sikkim

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As the northeast has vast natural resources, the availability of mineral water in Sikkim has led to the growth of bottled water industry.

Natural streams and rivers in Sikkim are a boon for the growth of bottled water industry in the region. The government fruit preservation factory at Singtam in eastern Sikkim recently ventured into producing bottled water under the brand name - Sikkim Supreme.

The new plant at the GFPF complex sources water from the hill stream above Singtam and produces quality mineral water to market locally and in rest of the country.

About 30 workers have received training with the Bureau of Indian Standards. While most such units use a five stage purification process, this plant has the advantage of using a 7-stage process.

"There is sudden demand in the market and it is growing, and we are working hard to meet the demand and we have already upgraded machines and we are trying to get more new machines so that we can increase supply to meet the demand," said Swaminath Prasad, in-charge.

The rising demand has led to the emergence of many such small scale industries, which are helping in generating employment opportunities in Sikkim.