OREANDA-NEWS. October 16, 2012. Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, has always been committed to the welfare of the community in and around its areas of operation. In another such community initiative, Tata Power has started a doorstep water supply initiative by providing potable water through tankers to the communities near its Dherand project.

The initiative was to help the womenfolk who spend a major part of their time in collecting water from various sources and spend around Rs35 per day per household to get drinking water from distant sources.

The water scarcity issue was brought to the notice of Tata Power and the company then carried out detailed discussions with women groups and community leaders in the area. Post the discussions, the team initiated activities for providing water solutions during summer months through tankers. Options for sustainable water supply were also investigated simultaneously and it was decided that providing water from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) supply will be the best option. On May 1, on the occasion of the Maharashtra Day, the company started water supply through MIDC water supply system in Dherand and Shahapur villages.

Speaking on the occasion, KS Thimmiah, head, project construction, western region projects, Tata Power, said, "We understand that drinking water is a necessity and we at Tata Power will continue to facilitate efforts towards easy and sustainable water supply for the villages around our areas of operation. Since the initiative has been adopted, there have been a lot of positive changes in the lives of the womenfolk in Dherand and Shahapur villages including starting small income generating activities."

Several women from the villages have appreciated this initiative and have thanked the company for making their life comfortable. The initiative not only saves them the physical exertion but also helps them in having a better lifestyle through safe and easy accessibility to drinking water.