Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (KIIDC), a public sector undertaking, is set to launch clean ice cubes for use in soft drinks and other food items. The affordable bottled water under KIIDC’s Hilly Aqua brand has already gained wide acceptance, and bullet ice production units will now be added to existing plants under the same brand.

The purified water used in Hilly Aqua drinking water will also be used to produce the bullet ice. Since KIIDC already operates its own water purification and bottling plants, it only needs to install a bullet ice unit, costing less than ₹10 lakh. The price of the ice cubes is yet to be determined.

Tenders have been invited for the purchase of machinery. The first unit will be set up on a trial basis at Aruvikkara, Thiruvananthapuram, with a daily capacity of 1,000 kg. If successful, additional units may be established in Thodupuzha, Kattappana, Ernakulam, Aluva, and Chakkitappara, Kozhikode.

KIIDC aims to increase turnover through product diversification. The corporation reported a turnover of ₹11.4 crore in the last financial year and is striving to raise it to ₹25 crore.