The Texas-based firm is reported to be planning to ship glacial water over the next 6-8 months to India in tankers all the way from Alaska."This is not at all a feasible project. Ferrying water in bulk will take a lot of time, even if you take the shortest route. I don't feel it is a sustainable project as the packaging and distribution costs will be very high in this case," Bisleri's Director (Business Development) Anjana Ghosh told PTI here.
S2C is trying to bank on the drinking water crisis in India and on reports that the country will become water- deficient by 2030.
Ghosh, however, said that India is currently water-surplus but the only matter of concern is the depleting water layer, which needs to be conserved.Meanwhile, other players such as Tata Global Beverages and Kingfisher declined to comment on the project.
"Indian rivers are rain-fed and we get a good monsoon. So there is no question of becoming water-deficient. We need to conserve water. The Government should focus on creating awareness among people about how to conserve rain water," Ghosh said.
Such projects are not sustainable given the high costs of logistics, transportation and purification, she said, adding that it will affect the margins of the company in the long-term.
"Ultimately you are going to package and sell it in the market. Can the consumers afford a litre of water for Rs 40," she said.
Currently, companies such as Bisleri, Tata Global Beverages, PepsiCo and Kingfisher are selling a bottle of packaged drinking water at around Rs 14 a litre in the country.