This was revealed by the Nigam in reply to an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act by city-based NGO Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti (PSS). The NGO had sought a query recently regarding the SSNNL’s policy on distribution of water for irrigation, for drinking and for other industrial purposes.

In the reply, SSNNL said it has decreased the water charges for the industries to Rs 10 per 1,000 litres, while it was Rs 20 three years ago. Activist Rohit Prajapati pointed out that the cost of the water supplied to the industries is less than the one litre packaged mineral drinking water available in the market.

According to the SSNNL, among the five major industries that get water at throwaway prices are Apollo Tyres in Waghodia, Vadodara, General Motors in Halol, Panchmahals, power plant of Ahmedabad Electricity Company (AEC) and a GEB plant in Gandhinagar.

"The (Narmada) project is primarily meant to provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes. But now industries are being catered under it," said Prajapati.

At present, around nine Million Acre Foot (MAF) water is given for drinking purpose, 7.94 MAF for irrigation and 0.20 for industrial use. Prajapati pointed out that the SSNNL has now increased the per cent of water to be supplied for industrial purpose to 1 MAF.