Thiruvananthapuram corporation yet to install water dispensers
Several Indian cities have explored the scope of getting sponsors for water kiosks.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the proposal to install drinking water fountains across the city, the corporation has yet not acted on it. Experts opine that drinking water fountains or water dispensers, as an alternative to packaged drinking water, will be effective in curtailing the plastic menace. Water coolers that once adorned places like LMS have also disappeared and now they are limited to railway station or indoor facilities.
"We have proposed drinking water fountains in 10 places in the city under Smart City project. New ones will come up at Gandhi Park, Thampanoor," said Corporation health standing committee chairman K. Sreekumar. Several Indian cities have explored the scope of getting sponsors for water kiosks. Recently, the city corporation had replaced a faulty water kiosk with a 'water maker' sponsored by a private company.
Meanwhile, corporation health official said that the menace of mounting used plastic water bottles will be addressed. "Plastic bottles have a resale value. We will provide a system where PET bottles could be exchanged for a small sum. We hope rag pickers and students will utilise such a scheme to earn quick bucks," an official said.