Autorickshaw drivers on M G Road are helping passersby and the general public to quench their thirst. These drivers have taken up a unique initiative of setting up a water pit near the Jaya Karnataka autorickshaw stand.
First of its kind in the city, it was Syed Imran who started providing cold water stored in earthen pots. “Autorickshaw drivers usually have a harrowing time, especially on hot days, during their rounds. Earlier, when they would park their vehicles at the Jaya Karnataka stand, they had no facility for drinking water. Sometimes, some of us would have to buy mineral water bottles, which are quite costly. So, all drivers pooled in money to set up a natural water stand,” said Syed.
“The water pot is cleaned and fresh water filled on a daily basis. We have an arrangement with canned water distributors to provide us a few litres of water every day. In case, they don’t turn up, we fill it up with Kaveri water available at the nearby Metro station,” said Syed.
Public and passersby are also utilising the facility. “We initially installed it for autorickshaw drivers but many people, who have noticed the facility, halt here and drink from this source. They feel assured about the purity of the water from the way we maintain this water pit. We are religious about the facility's cleanliness. We fill the mud pots, at least, four to five times a day. We are glad that this facility has also helped the public in a big way,” says Usmaan, another auto driver at the stand.