Not cars, Maruti Suzuki gives this village big 'gift'; 2,800 people set to benefit

Under its community Development programme, Maruti Suzuki India Limited has dedicated an integrated water-supply system for residents of Hansalpur village in Mehsana, Gujarat. The auto major designed and developed the integrated water-supply system with support from village community and local authorities with an investment of around Rs 3.3 crore. The new system, will ensure smooth and regular supply of fresh water to the entire village of 520 households constituting over 2,800 people, said a company statement today. 
 
The water-supply system comprises an underground storage tank and a bore well for pumping ground water, an over-head water supply tank and an extensive network of water pipelines to enable supply of water at doorstep. A predefined schedule will be followed to supply water so that each family gets adequate water to meet their daily need, said the company. 
 
Dedicating the water supply system to the village community, A K Tomer, Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “A need assessment with the village leaders and community members indicated that water scarcity was a major issue in Hansalpur. Earlier water supply was very erratic, the pipelines had punctures due to which many households could not get water for more than 5 to 10 days. Summers meant acute water shortage, the village women had to travel 6 kms, away from the village, to fetch water. The whole situation was in need of desperate refurbishment. With inputs from the village leaders, community and support from the local authorities, we designed a water supply system that will store and supply regular water to every household in the village. The scientifically designed pipeline network ensures there are no breakages and water flow is smooth.”
 
“I thank the village sarpanch Smt Madhiben Kanuji Thakor, panchayat members, community representatives and the local authorities for their support and trust in us. It was with their inputs and suggestions that we were able to successfully implement the project.” Tomar added.
 
Lakhabhai Bharwad, MLA, Viramgam, inaugurated the integrated water-supply system project in the presence of village Sarpanch Madhiben Kanuji Thakor, panchayat members, community representatives, village elders and senior officials from Maruti Suzuki. 
 
Maruti Suzuki has implemented various community development projects in Hansalpur village including over 470 Individual household toilets, a 10-stage self-sustainable Water-ATM to provide clean and safe drinking water in recent years. Under the community initiatives, Maruti Suzuki has also constructed a concrete road and installed over 180 solar street lights in Hansalpur, it stated. 
 
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With the objective to bring about an overall improvement in the quality of life of people residing around its manufacturing facilities, Maruti Suzuki has adopted 26 villages around its facilities in Gujarat and Haryana.