Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated several remarkable measures to make water governance a reality in the country, giving it an effective and workable proposition, said G Asok Kumar, Director General, National Mission, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Sakthi, Government of India.
He was speaking at the inaugural of the 13th IWA International Conference on Water Reclamation and Reuse under the theme–Water Reuse: Overcoming the Challenges of Growth and Climate Change–organised by FICCI here today.
Incidentally, FICCI had constituted a Water Mission in 2011 for promoting thought leadership in the area of water efficiency and sustainable water management.
Ashok Kumar said the Prime Minister is using the water sector to address the problems of water management in sectors like agriculture, industry, besides making the availability of water to every household in the country by 2025 under Jal Jeevan Mission apart from the Catch Rain Project to harvest rain water..
There is also an initiative of the Ministry of Jal Sakthi for the mapping and management of the aquifer systems of the country. India is the largest exploiter of groundwater and 80% of water is used in agriculture. It has given the need for water auditing and FICCI has taken the first step towards it.
Six states have come out with the policy of water management and Surat Corporation sells treated water for Rs 140 crore. Waste water is a resource and a big game changer too. Here comes the ban of using potable water for non-potable purposes. He also said there are plans to rejuvenate River Cauvery in South on the lines of River Ganga rejuvenation plan called Namami Gange.
He mentioned the recent inauguration of the longest river cruise in Ganga by the Prime Minister as a part of river development projects in the country, the main idea being to connect people with rivers towards economic development and capacity building..
As many as 10 crore toilets were created in the country to stop open defecation and thus avoid water pollution to a great extent, he added.
Dr Joseph Lahnsteiner, Chair, IWA Water Reuse Specialist Group, talked about the vastness of the country with a pointed reference to India’s culture and diversity. He also praised the efforts of the Centre in promoting river rejuvenation projects right from the year 2014 along with effluent treatment and water purification methods.
He was all praise for Chennai which has been emerging as the economic powerhouse of the country by virtue of its credentials as being the 4th largest city in India. He also referred to the Koyambedu Industrial Water Reclamation Plant which has the potential to supply highly purified reclaimed water to different industrial clients such as the automotive industry. The Nesapakkam Tertiary Treatment Plant can supply purified recycled water for drinking purposes.
Rajiv D Mittal, CEO, Va Tech Wabag, spoke at length on Chennai becoming a water resource manager in all respects, all under the visionary leadership of the state, which is emerging as the ideal destination for investment.
With the per capita consumption of water going up due to population explosion, the time has come to address the problem of water starvation with the involvement of water managers across the spectrum.
Safely treated fresh water for human consumption can save millions of productive man hours enhancing the GDP of the country. Reliable treated water supplied to industries can enhance 1% of GDP, he said. He wanted to create a blue credit mechanism like carbon credits, besides attracting private investment and putting in place a national framework on safe reuse of treated water.
Dr Thomas Michael MOLLENKOPF, President, IWA, said Chennai is making a critical contribution towards addressing water problems of all kinds with the linear approach and what with waste water reuse and pollution management.
He said the impediments still remain to a larger degree in the reuse of water and the need has arisen in community involvement and the initiation of policy makers.He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s water missions for sustainable management of water resources in the country till 2047.
Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairman, FICCI Water Mission and Past President, FICCI, in her opening remarks, said the aim of the conference is to disseminate ideas of water culture, conservation and reuse, besides giving a corporate focus towards water management in the country along with the involvement of private partners. She wanted the creation of a market for treated waste water as part of sustainable water practice. She lauded the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for projects involving conservation of rivers in the country.
Dr GSK Velu, Chairman, FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council, said the Centre is taking all steps to conserve water resources in the country and the River Ganga project is a shining example towards saving a sacred river, all with the initiatives of the Jal Mission under the stewardship of the Prime Minister..
He also spoke at length on water, weather and climate change and shared his ideas on sustainable development goals in water management.
Issued by Sparkle PR, Kanchana 98408 33985
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