Chennai, September 24 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government is preparing to resume the sale of bottled drinking water on its transport corporation buses, a service that was closed four years ago.
Officials said the tenders have already floated to identify suppliers, and the plan will be implemented at stages.
According to the Transport Department, the initiative will be launched on the first State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) services, which operates more than 1,080 deluxes and air -conditioned express buses across the state. These long distance services take over one lakh passengers every day, many of whom have expressed concern about the lack of safe and inexpensive drinking water during the journey.
In response, the department has decided to provide one-liter bottles of drinking water at a subsidized rate of Rs 10. Initially, this facility will be made available on SETC services, and based on passenger demand, it will be extended to other state-driven transport corporations.
“The tender process of selecting suppliers is currently going on, and the plan for Pongal Festival will be rolled out on time,” said a senior transport officer.
After finalizing the project, the government is expected to announce a brand name for bottled water.
This step marks the revival of earlier initiatives that were popular with travelers. In 2013, the then state government introduced ‘Amma’ mineral water, which was sold at bus stations and in long distance buses at Rs 10 per liter. The scheme received widespread approval to provide clean and cheap bottled water to passengers. However, it stopped in 2021 after technical problems at the Gumidipodi Water Plant, which served as the main production unit.
With rising temperatures, long -term travel duration, and rising passenger demand for safe water, officials believe that the re -production of bottled water sales will improve the quality of service on buses operated by the government.
The project is expected to generate additional revenue for transport corporations, strengthening the public trust in the initiatives supported by the government.
One of the busiest travel seasons in Tamil Nadu, Pongal, is re -launched, is seen as a strategic move to increase commutary feature during festive congestion.
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Aal/DPB