Drinking fountain to be Thiruvananthapuram corporation's litmus test

Thiruvananthapuram: A drinking water fountain to be installed at Gandhi Park will serve as a litmus test for Thiruvananthapuram Corporation when it implements the Smart City water fountain project. As per the proposal, now approved by the council, the cost of setting it up will be borne by a private firm. The Corporation is only providing the land. This is a model which will be tried out in the Smart City water fountain project. The corporation will make an appeal to private firms to sponsor and maintain one fountain.

Since the cost is not very high, many will be ready to do it, according to G. Vijayaraghavan, who was part of the Smart City Technical Committee. “A good number of water fountains can be completed under CSR. Moreover, since it is a CSR activity, the firms who are spending their money will ensure that the maintenance is also proper. The project will benefit many people especially as it is hygienic,” he says.   

The fountain, to be installed at Gandhi Park next to the gate on Chalai Market side is not connected with the Smart City project. It is sponsored by Skemco Engineers (India) Pvt. Ltd. The fountains will be a more hygienic option than water taps, according to Mr Vijayaraghavan. As one pushes the pedal at its foot, it will shoot up, and people can drink straight from it. He says it is also an eco-friendly choice. In places where hundreds of people visit, but there is no drinking water facility, like say the stretch from Museum to PMG, they will not have to rely on water bottles and thereby increase plastic consumption.