Shimla's most popular spot for holiday makers, the Ridge, now has a water automatic teller machine (ATM) dispenser for tourists and locals.
The Piramal water ATM unit was opened to the public by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday.
Piramal Sarvjal has signed an agreement with the Himachal government to run this not-for-profit water ATM. "Everytime this facility dispenses water, the user saves at least Rs 9 and Shimla civic officials will have one plastic bottle less to dispose," an official from Piramal said.
The cost of every litre of filtered water dispensed from the water unit will be 50 paise. "Shimla is one of the 10 most popular tourist destinations in India. Most tourists use expensive plastic drinking water. This ATM will try to cut down the use of plastic bottles here," said the official.
While the state government has provided water access and space at the site, Piramal will run the water unit. Plans to open water ATMs at the old bus stand, Dharamsala, Mandi, Chintpurni temple and Vikasnagar are in the pipeline.
