The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has launched a pilot project to install high-tech water ATMs at two of the city's busiest transit points, Mor Bhavan Bus Stand and Panchasheel Square. The initiative was conceptualised by Municipal Commissioner Dr Vipin Itankar to provide affordable, safe and clean drinking water for commuters and nearby residents. Panchasheel Square was selected for its proximity to a cluster of private hospitals while Mor Bhavan was chosen as a major bus commuter hub.

According to an Expression of Interest issued by the District Planning and Development Committee Cell, each unit will feature an advanced purification train using reverse osmosis plus ultrafiltration technology and will be housed in a prefabricated structure measuring four metre by five metre. Each kiosk will have a purification capacity of 1,000 litres per hour and will include an RFID-based dispensing system, water ATM interface, chilling plant for cold water and a 5,000-litre raw water storage tank. The units will be equipped with remote monitoring and SIM-based control panels to permit real-time supervision and performance reporting to civic authorities.

The EOI invited contractors to submit proposals for supply, installation and commissioning of the units and sets out technical and operational requirements for maintenance and quality assurance. Procurement and site works will be managed through standard municipal contracting procedures with timelines linked to award of contract and statutory clearances. Prefabricated design is intended to enable rapid deployment and straightforward maintenance of the kiosks.

The pilot forms part of a broader effort by the civic body to modernise essential public utilities and improve access to potable water across high-footfall locations. NMC will evaluate operational data and user uptake during the pilot to inform decisions on possible wider rollout and integration with existing water supply schemes. Officials have framed the project as a step towards reducing single-use plastic consumption and enhancing service reliability for daily commuters.