OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2012. In line with the motto 'to be the neighbour of choice', Tata Power, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL), has launched a initiative, Swach Jal, at Modhva village in Mandvi under the aegis of Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT). The village is situated adjacent to the sea shore. Project Swach Jal was launched after understanding the need of the villagers for safe and clean drinking water.

A well has been constructed to benefit more than 275 families in the village. The main objective of the project is to provide clean and safe drinking water to the residents of the area, who used to travel long distances for drinking water due to the unavailability of safe drinking water in the nearby areas.

The company invited a geo hydrologist from the Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) for identification of available water points. In addition, indigenous knowledge of the inhabitants was used before finalising the location for the wells. The entire process of inviting a quotation and finalising the service agency for construction of the wells has been done by the CGPL-initiated VDAC. The progress was monitored by the VDAC members. All management and maintenance work will be done by the VDAC members. This arrangement has mitigated the water scarcity in the village.

Commenting on the initiative, KK Sharma, chief, Mundra project, said, “We are happy to launch this initiative which will help the villagers in the long run and will protect them from water-borne diseases. Tata Power is providing consultation services for the implementation of this programme, which involves various stakeholders such as the village development committee and technical help from WASMO. We look forward to implementing many such initiatives for the betterment of the community in Mundra and Mandvi.”

The company has taken up various initiatives on water-related interventions for communities in Gujarat. A detailed hydro-geological and hydrological investigation with special reference to water conservation in the villages of Mandvi and Mundra talukas is being undertaken. Through Water Solutions, a Delhi-based organisation, CGPL has carried out a survey of the hydro-geological status of the area and has also mapped the area for the availability of water. It has also taken up other initiatives, specifically in the areas of watershed management and rainwater harvesting (well recharge, pond deepening, check dams, farm bunding, etc) in the nearby villages of Tunda, Tragadi, Nanabhadia and Mota Kandagra, among others.