06th February 2024 – Adani Wilmar, one of the largest Food and FMCG companies in India, has taken a significant step towards alleviating the chronic drinking water crisis in Kutch, Gujarat. Partnering with the Indian Army deployed near Mundra, the brand has extended its support through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, specifically focusing on ‘Innovative’ and ‘Make in India’ solutions to provide clean and safe drinking water in the Southern Command region.
Kutch, particularly Bhuj, grapples with a severe drinking water shortage, which has worsened with the presence of drying bores, saline wells, and inherent water scarcity. Despite the Narmada River serving as a primary water source, impurities pose health hazards.
The initiative is a result of the larger outreach program by the Army Design Bureau (ADB) to facilitate and empower Def Industries to come up with solutions for the challenges identified by the field formations. Adani Wimar collaborated with Livinguard Technologies, with the primary objective being to ensure the provision of safe and potable drinking water in adequate quantities and within minimum distances for 600–1000 soldiers, improving their overall quality of life. The initiative also aims to initiate conservation, recharge, and sustainability measures regarding drinking water in the army camps.
Mr. Angshu Mallick, MD & CEO, Adani Wilmar, said, “The partnership with the Indian Army in facilitating safe drinking water in Kutch is a testament to our company’s commitment to social responsibility. Through innovative solutions and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, we aim to provide clean and safe drinking water, contributing to the well-being of those who safeguard our nation.”
The current requirement includes 1(One) x 1000 litres per hour (lph) of safe and sustainable drinking water using an industrial system; the output water should be free of bacteria and hardness. An additional 2000 lph water storage tank will also be installed to meet the requirements. The system is being employed in association with Livinguard Technologies and an NGO called the Srujana Foundation. The technology will help in removing unnecessary salts that contribute to high TDS and hardness while retaining essential minerals and eliminating bacteria and viruses without the use of additional electricity.
Adani Foundation, on behalf of Adani Wilmar, has spearheaded several CSR projects in the Kutch district, notably including the Fortune SuPoshan Project, aimed at combating malnutrition and anemia among children, adolescent girls, and women. This project has yielded significant success in Mundra, impacting over 1.18 lakh individuals across 65 villages and 75 Anganwadi Centers. Project Udaan is another initiative that offers quality education and practical learning experiences. This project has benefited over 29,000 students from 263 schools and other educational institutions in Mundra, Kutch. Additionally, the Grass Land Development initiative has transformed 205 acres of depleted village pastureland into productive grassland in Zarpara and Siracha villages. This transformation has benefited over 2,250 cattle and potentially serves as a replicable model for sustainable development. Furthermore, the flagship education program, Project Utthan, targets marginalized communities by enhancing literacy and numeracy skills among students. With operational sites in Mundra and Nakhatrana, this initiative has benefited over 3,500 students across 25 schools in the Kutch district. Adani Wilmar is committed towards a healthy growing nation and this initiative is an attempt to achieve the same by contributing to the well-being of the Indian Army deployed in the region. It also remains steadfast in its commitment to exploring innovative and sustainable solutions that not only benefit the company but also contribute to the well-being of the planet.
