Sonkh (Uttar Pradesh), March 24 (IANS): If all goes well, water scarcity will soon be history in this part of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. An ATM-like machine that dispenses water will come up here in a fortnight.

Sonkh is famous as an archaeological site with a goldmine of valuable artefacts going back at least three millennia. But it is also known as an area where water is always in short supply.

The water dispensing machine with an RO plant will be the first of its kind in Uttar Pradesh, according to district officials. The machine will cater to some 2,500 families. A pre-paid card will be made available to those willing to pay for water.

The water cost has been kept low -- 10 to 20 paise a litre. School kids will get free water.

An official said the 20,000 litre plant would cost around Rs.18.56 lakh. Sonkh at present gets piped water from 10 km away.

An official said 80 percent work on the project was over. Within a fortnight, it should become operational, providing relief to residents of Sonkh, said the town's executive officer Ram Asrey Kamal.

Kamal said the water will be safe, cool and potable.