JAIPUR: This will come as a surprise for those who stick by the popular image of Rajasthan as a desert state.The state will soon produce its brand of mineral water, thanks to the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), which will soon launch the bottled water of Bisalpur dam in the market.The purpose is to provide clean drinking water at an affordable rate under the Raj water brand.Bisalpur dam, built on the Banas river in Tonk district, is one of the biggest dams in the state. At present, the dam supplies water to the state capital, Ajmer city and, recently, Bhilwara was added to the list.Principal secretary PHED J C Mohanty said, “The state water supply department will launch its own brand of bottled water soon. He said the primary purpose was to provide water at an affordable rate to people.“Bottled water supplied by private players is being sold at higher rates and the entry of a government agency in this sector is expected to bring moderation, he said.The detailed project report (DPR) is being drafted by the Water and Power Consultants (WAPCOS).The department plans to sell half litre bottles at Rs 2.50 and 20 litres at Rs 50. The PHED will soon invite tenders from prospective bidders for bottling water supplied from the Bisalpur water storage plant at Balabala.The state meets most of its drinking water requirements from surface water sources such as lakes and dams as the presence of fluoride in many parts of the state makes underground water unsuitable for human consumption.This year due to more than normal monsoon the dam is full and authorities had to open the sluice gates. However, there's a catch what the agency would do when the dam comes under stress during drought years.