Gandhinagar: In a significant step toward environmental sustainability and aligning with Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s vision of a plastic-free India, the Gujarat Secretariat has launched the ‘Sakhi Neer’ initiative, a reusable glass bottled water project. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the new eco-friendly bottling facility, marking a pivotal move to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles within government premises.
Glass Bottles to Replace Plastic Across Secretariat
Under the new initiative, water will now be served in reusable glass bottles under the ‘Sakhi Neer’ brand at the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly. This eco-conscious shift is managed by the ‘MAA Narmada Ekta Mahila Mandal’, reinforcing the government’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and women’s empowerment.
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Innovation Driven by Gujarat’s Youth and Startups
The technology powering the ‘Sakhi Neer’ bottling plant has been developed by Pratik Patel, a youth entrepreneur from Vadodara, incubated at the Savli Technology and Business Incubator, under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat. The project has resulted in two patents, a testament to Gujarat’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Chief Minister Patel commended the young developers and personally interacted with the startup team, acknowledging their contribution to sustainable innovation.
From Tapi to Tirupati – A Model Expanding Nationwide
The concept builds upon a successful pilot project initiated at the Padam Dungri Eco-Tourism Site in Tapi district three years ago under the brand ‘Ambika Neer’, where glass-bottled water replaced plastic at no extra cost. Inspired by its success, the model has also been replicated in Tirumala, Tirupati, indicating national potential for scale.
Green Mobility with E-Rickshaws for Bottle Distribution
Chief Minister Patel also flagged off a fleet of e-rickshaws designated to transport the glass water bottles. These e-rickshaws were developed by Darpan Kadu, another young innovator supported through the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) and the Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Fellowship. This reinforces the state’s commitment to fostering homegrown talent and sustainable transport.
Leadership Committed to the ‘Net Zero’ Vision
Speaking at the launch, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reiterated the government’s commitment to its ‘Net Zero’ pledge, stating that the initiative is not only a step toward reducing plastic waste but also a model of how public governance can lead by example in climate-conscious action.
Senior officials present at the event included:
- Mr. Mulubhai Bera, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister
- Mr. Mukesh Patel, Minister of State
- Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment
- Ms. Mona K. Khandhar, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology
- Mr. A.K. Singh, PCCF & Head of Forest Force
- Officials and members of the Forest Department and Sakhi Mandal
