Kolkata: As many as 200 'water ATMs' or water vending machines will be set up across the city and its suburbs starting this Durga puja, a minister said on Friday.

Panchayat and Public Health Engineering Department Minister Subrata Mukherjee on Thursday evening launched the city's first drinking water ATM at the Ekdalia Evergreen Club pandal.

"Now we will launch 200 such ATMs across Kolkata and its surrounding areas. Later on, we will take it across the state," Mukherjee told IANS.

A litre of portable water has been priced at Rs 2 which will enable all sections of society to access clean drinking water by inserting coins. The initiative is part of the state's 'Pran Dhara' packaged drinking water project.

(IANS)