Kozhikode: The state-run Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation is setting up a ‘Hilly Aqua’ bottled water plant in Kozhikode. This will be the first such plant in North Kerala and will be established at Chakkittapara in Perambra. Water from the Japanese drinking water project linked to the Peruvannamoozhi dam will be used for this purpose. Distribution will primarily cover the districts in the Malabar region. Hilly Aqua already has plants in Thodupuzha and Aruvikkara. In addition to the Kozhikode unit, there are plans to set up another plant in Kochi.

The plant will be located on 6,000 square feet of land near Peruvannamoozhi. It is expected to use 2 lakh (200,000) litres of water per day. A dedicated laboratory with a microbiologist and a chemical analyst will be established on-site to independently test water quality. The project is expected to be commissioned within nine months, according to senior general manager of Hilly Aqua V Saji, who spoke to Mathrubhumi. 

The building and land at Chakkittapara have been leased for 15 years for this initiative. Bottled water will be made available in containers of 20 litres, 5 litres, 2 litres, 1 litre and 500 ml. Dealers have already been invited for distribution discussions in the coming days.

Currently, Hilly Aqua water is distributed through jail canteens. Although the hospital authorities at Kozhikode Medical College were informed of the corporation's willingness to supply bottled water at subsidised rates for patients and bystanders, there has been no response so far. An agreement has also been reached to supply Hilly Aqua for three years to railway stations where ‘Rail Neer’, the bottled water brand of Indian Railways, is not available.