NEW DELHI: For resident doctors and research and medical students staying in the hostels of the All-India Institute of Medical Science here, "sterilised, clean drinking water' will no longer be a luxury. Having fought to keep viral hepatitis, gastroenteritis and other water-related diseases at bay each summer year after year, the AIIMS hostels are finally being equipped with reverse osmosis water units.

The Danish Government has provided two interest free loans of Rs. 7.7 billion and Rs. 8.8 billion for the construction of Oluvil Port and the Kelani Right Bank Water Treatment Plant under the Danish Mixed Credit Programme. The funds are channelled through the Nordea Bank of Denmark. The proposed Oluvil Port will have the capability to cater to large ships with in-built tanks exceeding the eight metre depth level mark.

Wipro, the $5 billion company with interests in IT services, consumer care, lighting and furniture, is entering a new set of businesses which will enable the company to leverage its growth on the clean energy and agriculture sectors. The company is readying a plan to include alternate energy, water treatment, food and agriculture businesses under its infrastructure business - Wipro Infrastructure Engineering Limited.

The Department of Agricultural Extension has under-reported the full extent of bacterial disease infestation of hybrid paddy, said field-level officials. They have reportedly been asked to underplay the full extent and severity of the disease. It is estimated that some 30,000 to 35,000 hectares (1 hectare equals 2.471 acres) of paddy have been affected by

City dwellers are facing acute water crisis as the Sylhet City Corporation can supply only 21 lakh litres of water per day against the demand of more than 65 lakh litres. Apart from technical faults, frequent load-shedding and low-voltage also seriously hamper the utility service in the city, sources in the city corporation said, adding that the authorities concerned can now provide less than one-third of required water.

Sri Lankan government has awarded a Malaysian company to build a water treatment plant in Ambatale in the western province. Salcon Bhd's joint-venture company has received the acceptance letter from the government to build the plant which can process 40 million gallons per day. Salcon will design and construct the process plant.