The Nilgiris : In a first, the Nilgiris District is to open 70 water ATMs to cater to the ban on plastic water bottles along with 16 other plastic items.
The Nilgiris : In a commendable first-of-its-kind initiative, the Nilgiris District will have 70 'Water ATMs' dispense water within the district to effectively aid the ban on usage of plastic water bottles along with 16 other plastic items. The 'Water ATMs' that are being set up at a brisk pace now, will be thrown open for public use on August 15.
The idea had been initiated after a ban on plastic water bottles and bottled cold drinks, along with other plastic containers was imposed upon the Nilgiris District by the Chennai High Court. While 14 plastic items including cups and carry bags had been banned all over Tamil Nadu, the hill district had gone one step ahead to ban 17 items in total.
Tourists entering the Nilgiris district will not be allowed to carry plastic water bottles anywhere in the district. The can avail of the Water ATM facility across the district, and fill water in non-plastic containers using a Rs.5 coin for one litre of water. In order to help the tourists, 10 ATMs in Ooty town, four in Coonoor, 6 in Gudalur, 4 in Nelakottai and 11 in other areas are to be set up, soon.