NALCO launched water posts / kiosks at strategic locations under Prime Minister’s Swachh Iconic Shrine project with the aim of promoting and development of the holy city of Puri. The installation of water kiosks was inaugurated by NALCO CMD Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand and Puri District Magistrate and Collector Aravind Agarwal.
Dr. T.K.Chand, CMD, NALCO, said, ‘’The importance of safe and clean drinking water is of utmost importance. This initiative will benefit the large number of devotees who throng the holy place and benefit the public at large.’’ Dr. Chand also stressed on the need to cater to marginalised section of the society. ‘’There are many people who visit Puri to offer prayers, but not everyone may be well off to buy mineral water at frequent intervals. We hope the water posts we have installed at various locations will benefit the poor.’’
As of now, eleven important tourist locations have been shortlisted to launch water kiosks, including three in and around Jagannath Temple, one each at Sakhigopal Temple, Gandhi Park, Satalahari Math, Gundicha Mandir, Gurdwara, near Sea Beach, Sunaragouranga Math and Jagannath Ballav Math Praising NALCO for this noble initiative, Shri Aravind Agarwal, District Magistrate and Collector, Puri, complimented Dr. Chand and NALCO for providing the much-needed water posts. Further, he said, ‘’This initiative will benefit lakhs of people visiting Puri, especially when the temperature soars during the summer season. We are proud to partner with Navratna company NALCO for carrying out a number of CSR projects and contributing to Puri’s development.’’
Last month, NALCO launched battery-operated vehicle service at Puri station for the elderly, specially-abled and sick passengers. Keeping with its objective of ensuring all- round development of Puri as a Swachh Iconic Place, NALCO is carrying out a number of activities, including, development and beautification of Gandhi Park, multi-storeyed car parking at sea beach, renovation of Niladri Vihar museum inside Jagannath Temple, providing access to drinking water at various spots in the city, development of heritage corridor, among other initiatives.