As a part of our CSR efforts, we at Ashok Leyland have been providing access to affordable clean drinking water to communities in rural areas of Hosur, Namakkal and Chennai. On 22nd November the 16th purified drinking water ATM was inaugurated at Nandiyambakkam in Minjur block near Chennai. Mr.K V Natarajan, Ennore Plant Head along with Mr. M Sellamuthu, GM-HR Ennore Plant inaugurated this ATM which will benefit over 3000 families, in the midst of a huge gathering of enthusiastic villagers.

One such beneficiary is the 45-year-old Malathi ,she has been buying drinking water cans each costing Rs.30 and says that she even rations drinking water so that each can serves the family of five for at least 4 days. “Now, I’m very thankful to Ashok Leyland for setting up this water ATM facility in my village”, she said.

On 20th November, Malathi’s face beamed with joy as she occupied the very first seat in the Water ATM inauguration ceremony. She listened with utmost concentration to understand the process of taking water from the ATM, where a pre-paid RFID enabled card is to be swiped against every 20-litre fill by an individual and Rs.4 will be deducted in the card. “Though it is only Rs.4, I will continue to ration water and tell my family to use it judiciously, because water conservation is very important in order to enjoy this ATM facility for many years. Also, I will ensure that we as a community maintain this ATM and its surrounding areas”, she added.