CHENNAI: The State government is set to reintroduce the sale of bottled drinking water on its transport corporation buses, with tenders already floated to identify suppliers.

Transport Department officials said that the scheme would first be rolled out on the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) services before being expanded to other State-run transport corporations based on demand.

According to officials, the SETC currently operates over 1,080 deluxe and AC express buses, carrying more than one lakh passengers daily. “Many passengers have complained about the lack of safe drinking water during long-distance travel,” an official noted.

In response, the department has decided to provide sealed one-litre bottles of drinking water at Rs 10 on these express services in the initial phase. The tender process to select suppliers is under way, and the project is expected to be launched ahead of the Pongal festival.

“The name of the bottled water scheme will be announced by the State government at a later date,” officials added.

It may be noted that Amma mineral water was sold at Rs 10/litre at bus stops from 2013, but it was stopped in 2021 after the Gummidipoondi water plant malfunctioned.