India: News

HONOURABLE CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI DEDICATES SOUTH DELHI’S LARGEST RAIN WATER HARVESTING PROJECT TO THE COMMUNITY

Resident Welfare Association, Madakini, G.K. IV and Coca-Cola India partner to create more than 1.4 crore litre of Rain Water Harvesting Capacity

New Delhi, May 13, 2006: Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit today dedicated nine Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) Recharge Wells to the community in Mandakini, G.K. IV in South Delhi. These wells have a combined potential to harvest more than 1.4 crore litres of rain water during normal monsoon and this is the largest such project in any private residential colony in Delhi. The project has been accomplished in partnership with the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) & Coca-Cola India under the technical guidance of Central Ground Water Board with active support from the Bhagidari Cell, Govt. of Delhi. The project is in keeping with Coca-Cola’s policy of fostering public-private partnerships for taking up community development projects. Also present on the occasion were Shri Subhash Chopra, MLA, Shri Virender Kasana, MPIL. Councillor & Member DDA, Mr. Saleem Romani, Chairman, Central ground Water Board and Mr. Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India and other distinguished guests.

The launch of the RWH project at Mandakini (NRI Complex), G. K. IV is one amongst the 40 projects that Coca-Cola India is commissioning this year. Out of these, 10 projects are being commissioned in Delhi. The company already supports several such projects with 200 RWH structures in 17 states of the country. In Delhi alone, the existing RWH structures have the potential to harvest more than 100 million liters of rain water.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, said that fresh water is a global challenge and needs the urgent attention of all stakeholders. It is heartening to note of some path breaking initiatives being taken by many NGOs & corporates in the realm of water management. Rain Water Harvesting has emerged as a viable option to redirect rain water into the ground, which otherwise goes waste and we need to encourage more people and societies to take up RWH projects. I hope that we see more such examples of private-public partnership in the area of water conservation and recharging ground water.

According to Shri Subhash Chopra, MLA, we are aware of the resource pressure that Delhi faces because of an ever increasing population and a large number of people coming to Delhi to earn a living. Water being a critical resource, we need to take some urgent steps to ensure the availability of fresh water. I am happy that several colonies in Delhi have recognized the importance of Rain Water Harvesting and I congratulate RWA, Mandakini and Coca-Cola India for having commissioned this project.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Virender Kasana, Municipal Councillor & member DDA, said we appreciate the efforts of Coca-Cola & the RWA in partnering with civic authorities to increase awareness and to implement water conservation projects.

According to Mr. Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India, “Coca-Cola India undertakes a diverse range of activities for the benefit of the community across the country. Water management remains a priority and the company pursues the 4R program of Reduce, Recycle, Reuse and Recharge to achieve the objective of water management & conservation. Our focus will continue to be on projects which further improve the overall standard of living in communities amongst which we operate.”

Over the years Coca-Cola India has been involved in rainwater harvesting projects to protect, preserve and enhance the environment. In the Capital, the Company has initiated a large number of rainwater harvesting projects in partnership with local NGOs and State Ground Water Departments. Coca-Cola India’s rainwater harvesting initiatives also extend into various RWA’s, Market Associations, Schools, NGO’s and also the Tihar Jail. Infact the Company’s efforts have been recognized by various authorities including the Govt. of Delhi who have honoured Coca-Cola India with the Bhagidari award for their Rain water harvesting work for three consecutive years - 2003, 2004 and 2005.

According to Shri A. S. Bahl, President, RWA, Mandakini, “We are delighted and encouraged by the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit and are very proud that this project takes off in the presence of Shri Subhash Chopra, Shri Virender Kasana, Shri Atul Singh and many other distinguished guests. This is the largest RWH project in a private residential colony in Delhi. The project is another successful example of public-private partnership and I thank the residents of the society who have contributed to this project.”

About Mandakini (NRI Complex), G. K. IV
This colony became functional in 1993 and the RWA came into existence from 1997. There are a total 240 dwelling units in the colony presently with occupancy of 172 families. The RWA of this colony has played an important role in shaping up the infrastructure & towards the beautification of the complex. The RWA is working towards the generation of non-conventional energy by installing solar energy system to feed light to common amenities like street / Park lights, devise a water recycle & reuse program and launch many other development programs for the colony.

About Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company has always placed high value on good citizenship. At the heart of business is a mission statement called the Coca-Cola Promise. It says, quite simply, that” The Coca-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone who is touched by our business". This basic proposition means – that the company’s business should refresh the markets, protect, preserve and enhance the environment and strengthen the community. Coca-Cola India provides extensive support for community programs across the country, with a focus on education, health and water conservation.

For further information on company's Indian operations and its products, please visit www.Coca-Colaindia.com.