OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2012. In line with the motto-to be the “Neighbor of Choice”, Tata Power through its wholly-owned subsidiary Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL) has launched another initiative ‘Swach Jal’ at Modhva village in Mandvi under the aegis of CR-Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT). The village is situated just adjacent to the sea shore. Understanding the need of the villagers for safe and clean drinking water, Project ‘Swach Jal’ was launched.

The well has been constructed to benefit more than 275 families in the village.  The main objective of the project is to provide clean and safe drinking water to the residents of the area, who used to travel a long distance due to the unavailability of safe drinking water in the nearby area.

The Company invited Geo Hydrologist from Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO) for identification of available water points. In addition, indigenous knowledge of the inhabitants was used before finalizing on the wells. The entire process of inviting the quotation, finalizing the service agency for construction has been done by the CGPL initiated VDAC. The work progress was monitored by the VDAC members. All management and maintenance work will be done by the VDAC members. This arrangement has mitigated the water scarcity of the village.

Commenting on the initiative Mr. KK Sharma, Chief- Mundra Project said “We are happy to launch this initiative which will help the villagers in a long run and will protect them from any water borne diseases. Tata Power had taken up the consultation drive for implementation of this programme involving various stakeholders like Village Development Committee, technical help from WASMO. We look forward to add many such initiatives for the betterment of the community in Mundra and Mandvi.”

The Company has taken up various initiatives on water-related interventions for its communities in Gujarat. A detailed hydro geological and hydrological investigation with special reference to water conservation in the villages of Mandvi and Mundra talukas is being undertaken. Through Water Solutions, a Delhi-based organization; CGPL has carried out survey of hydro geological status of the area also mapped the area about the availability of water and has also taken up other initiatives, specifically in the areas of watershed management and rainwater harvesting (ie, well recharge, pond deepening, check dams, farm bunding, etc) in the nearby villages of Tunda, Tragadi, Nanabhadia and Mota Kandagra, among others.

Coastal Gujarat Power Limited has begun the journey of engaging its neighboring communities to address their developmental needs and issues. A systematic strategy has been followed for the identification and grouping of stakeholders based on their influence, leading to a phased stakeholder dialogue. It includes exploring and engaging, building and formalizing, implementing actions and then continuously evaluating in a manner that institutionalizes relationship with communities.  The programs and their outcomes are aligned to achieve high level of impact and level of sustenance. The above strategy has taken the Company to a journey that spans the themes of education, health, income generation and livelihood, Safe drinking water, rural energy, natural resource management, infrastructure and institution building.