Bhel And Safe Water Network Launch Four Of Ten Safe Drinking Water Stations In Bhandara

On October 20, three iJal Stations, supported by BHEL, were commissioned in Bhandara district of Maharashtra. These stations are located in the villages of Lakhani, Sendurwafa and Murmadi. Each will provide access to over 5000 people; a fourth opened in November. 

The October launch event included Shri B N Shah, Deputy General Manager and Shri Mahesh Manker, Senior Engineer, BHEL-PSWR, Nagpur, who dedicated these safe water stations, and noted their importance to improving community health. BHEL is working in conjunction with the  Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ mission of cleanliness and sanitation. 

BHEL has a manufacturing site under construction in the district and its partnership with Safe Water Network is an example of how they are committed to improving the lives of communities where they operate. This initiative improves health and results in an overall uplift in community livelihoods through greater productivity and increased economic opportunities. 

Earlier this year, BHEL committed approximately $250,000 for 10 iJal stations in the region. Two more will open by year end; the other four by  June 2015. 

“CSR is a concept ingrained in the operations of BHEL since inception,” says Mr. V.K. Sharma, general manager of BHEL’s corporate social responsibility. “Being a Maharatna company, BHEL is working for the welfare of society through inclusive growth aimed at capacity building, empowerment of communities, environmental protection, development of backward regions, and the advancement of the marginalized and under-privileged sections of the society. BHEL understands the importance of clean drinking water as fundamental to good health. I am confident that with Safe Water Network we can accomplish safe drinking water in a sustainable manner for the good health and welfare of these communities.”