A water ATM, which started working three months ago at Achyutapur under Bharigada panchayat of Rajkanika block, managed to fulfil the need of the locals to get filter water and cold hygienic water in the ongoing scorching heat and post Fani situation at the remote village of Kendrapada.
Pradip Kumar Mallik, Sarpanch of Bharigada, said the water ATM has been installed under 14th Central Finance Commission fund at a cost of Rs 5 lakh. The ATM dispenses water according to the amount of money put in the machine. To collect 2.5 litres of water, one has to put a Re-1 coin whereas to fill water in 20 litres of jar one has to spend Rs 7. One can collect water by putting coins of Re 1, Rs 5 and Rs 10.
The ATM’s storage capacity is 250 litres. It has been functioning 24 hours with electricity and solar energy systems.