Credited with being the state having the largest milk cooperative (GCMMF) ever, seems Gujarat is all set to usher in a revolution in packaged drinking water too.
The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) will soon become the first civic body in Gujarat to produce packaged drinking water. “Tapi” will be a joint flow with SUMUL Dairy.
While SMC will provide the water, SUMUL will helm the packaging and marketing. On March 20, SMC standing committee chairman Paresh Patel and water department officials held a meeting with the SUMUL Dairy chairman Mansinh Patel, MD Arun Purohit and other officials. In its pilot run, the bottle will be supplied in Surat and Tapi.
According to SMC sources, the civic body provides drinking water to around 70 lakh people in Surat city and also distributes tertiary treated water to dyeing and printing industries in the city.
“We are still working out the option on whether to supply the regular drinking water (contains chlorine) or mineral water. For the latter, we will have to invest in another extra plant,” shared Patel.
SUMUL Dairy has many counters and outlets in Surat and Tapi districts. “The dairy has expertise in packaging for which we are partnering with them. We are also deliberating on whether to provide water in plastic bottles or glass bottles.”
Claiming that the Tapi brand water will be cheaper than all existing brands, Patel added that the water supplied in over 100 offices and health centres under SMC.
Also Read: Rising Hate Crime Against Migrant Workers In Gujarat; Two Lynched
