Water mills, an effective employment source in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Jan 3 (ANI): Iron turbine-driven watermills are providing more employment opportunities in Dehradun in Uttarakhand.

The iron-turbine has replaced the wooden turbine in water mills here. Though a small step, it is proving to be a huge leap.

Watermills have long been used to generate power here. In turn, so generated power ran various kinds of grind mills like flour, oil and even handlooms.

"It is working free of cost with water. People get grains grinded. We also grind our own flour and sell it. It is providing many employment opportunities," said Manoj Kumar, water mill operator.

A big advantage of water mills is increased reliance on local resources, making use of almost no direct imports. Many ventured into new business only after they had this changed and more efficient water mill at their disposal.

"My restaurant is working with the help of electricity produced by water mill. My fridge and flour grinding machine is working with the same electricity. It has been really beneficial," said Bansuri, a restaurant owner.

Water mills, which used to be the most widespread rural technology, lost their importance when diesel mills entered the rural areas. But with the diesel prices touching the sky they are back in the reckoning.

"The wooden turbine has been converted into iron turbine. Initially, one water mill could grind only six to seven kgs of flour per hour. Now after we have introduced new technology, people are getting employed. Initially where only one person was employed, now ten are employed," said Manmohan Negi, a technician.

Increased processing capacity of the improved watermills has helped the owner earn more profit. The widespread use of watermills and its popularity owes much to its simple and cost-effective mechanism. By Ashish Goel (ANI)