Toyota joins hands with govt for social cause

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Limited (TKML), a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Kirloskar Group, has initiated a rural drinking water project for the residents of Ramanagara town in collaboration with the Karnataka government.

The project will involve the construction of two water tanks of a capacity of 1.5 million litres to alleviate the conditions created by an acute water shortage faced by the residents during summer.

According to a company release, TKML managing director Atsushi Toyoshima handed over the letter of intent on the proposed construction of water tanks to chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in the presence of Ryoichi Sasaki, chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Monday.

Ramanagaram town, which is about 20 km from the Toyota factory, has a population of about 80,000 people. About half the population is supplied water from the Cauvery while the rest depend on water from borewells and the Arkavathy river.

During summer, the water levels in borewells and the Arkavathy dip drastically leaving nearly half the town parched.

Speaking on the occasion, Toyoshima said, "Toyota has always been responsive to the needs of the local community and the society at large. The project is aimed at helping the government provide drinking water to the residents of Ramanagara throughout the year. The construction of the water tanks will provide respite to the residents of Ramanagara town who face a shortage of drinking water, especially during summer."

The tanks will be constructed near the Town Municipality Circle and in Kothipura locality of Ramanagara town.

Besides, the water distribution plan through tanks has been prepared by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board. The project will be completed in two years.

TKM has invested nearly Rs 1,500 crore in its plant at Bidadi, that employs over 2,400 people.