Tuesday 18 October 2016

Nagpur 24x7 project - Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited (VIL India)

Water supply to be explained in beginner's terms is the provision of water by public utilities, viable organizations, community activities or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipesIrrigation is covered separately. Mr. Arun Lakhani had a vision for Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited (VIL India) as he considered Water Supply is a project that needs to be worked on and developed for a billion+ people in India.
At VIL we see ourselves as social entrepreneurs since Water, Waste Water and Transport; the sectors in which we have built our reputation are closely interwoven with the lives of people. As business, apart from value creation for share holders they also impact happiness quotient of the people, thus offering enormous satisfaction to us for our life transforming work. The rapidly urbanizing Indian population is expected to reach a figure close to 600 million urban people by 2031. This massive transition is creating serious challenges for urban planners and ULBs especially that of ensuring quality water supply to these citizens. Indian cities have for long lived with intermittent water supply systems riddled with a variety of problems ranging from high levels of NRW to contamination issues.
The areas to be in focus in 24x7 water supply are as follows: Non-Revenue Water ranging from 50 to 75%, Water supply coverage only about 64%, Intermittent Supply & Poor billing mechanism. As a solution to this situation several reforms have been initiated by the government which include introduction of performance linked PPP contracts, up gradation of existing ageing assets, 100% metering and efficient operation and maintenance of the supply system. Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd. provides global solutions that contribute to sustainable development in the water sector through innovation in the design, construction and operation of drinking water treatment plants, distribution system reforms, etc.
Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited Water supply success stories: Nagpur 24 X 7 – Nagpur is the 3rd largest city & winter capital of Maharashtra state, Nagpur is India’s loath largest city with a population of over 2.5 million people. It became the first city of its size in the country to outsource its water supply to a private operator under the PPP model for 25 years. Nagpur 24 x 7 Water Supply
First Full City Continuous water supply Project in India
The Project gives emphasis on Operator’s Performance; the Operator remuneration is linked with the technical and commercial efficiency of his services.
·         Delinking of consumer tariff and Operator’s fees
·         Employees and Unions – Job security of government employees maintained
·         Included ‘economically challenged segment of society’ in Service Level Agreement (SLA) for connecting households
·         Sovereign rights with N MC —Tariff, sole rights for new house service connection & disconnection and ownership of assets
Other projects in the pipeline for Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited are Magadi 24x7 in Ramanagara district in the state of Karnataka. Bidar & Basavakalyan 24×7. The two towns of Bidar and Basavakalyan are located in the Bidar district of Karnataka.
Pressurized water supply throughout India is essential for daily survival. It’s a basic necessity for every living being. VIL aims to overcome this problem and make India a country with 24x7 Water Supply.


Wednesday 12 October 2016

Arun Lakhani's views on Indian Urban Water Scenario

The rapidly urbanizing Indian population is expected to reach a figure close to 600 million urban people by 2031. This massive transition is creating serious challenges for urban planners and ULBs, especially which of ensuring quality water supply to these citizens. Indian cities have for long lived with intermittent water supply systems riddled with a variety of problems ranging from high levels of NRW to contamination issues. Some of the concerns with the urban water scenario are Non-Revenue Water ranging from 50 to 75%, Water supply coverage only about 64%, Intermittent Supply, Poor billing mechanism. Here’s what Mr. Arun Lakhani has to say as a solution to this situation several reforms have been initiated by the government which include introduction of performance linked PPP contracts, up gradation of existing ageing assets, 100% metering and efficient operation and maintenance of the supply system.
Water companies globally are developing technologies and management systems to deal with these challenges. Vishvaraj infrastructurelimited (VIL) however understands that the Indian context is different and it needs solutions which are local, competitive and socially acceptable. We develop implementation strategies keeping local situation in perspective as water is a very sensitive subject in our country. For us, driving innovations, creating sustainability, technological advancements, environmental friendliness and people’s involvement are the key drivers for the company in this sector.
Nagpur 24x7 The Project: The 3rd largest city & winter capital of Maharashtra state, Nagpur is India’s loath largest city with a population of over 2.5 million people. It became the first city of its size in the country to outsource its water supply to a private operator under the PPP model for 25 years. The one big objective was to provide l00% safe drinking water 24×7 to l00% of the population including the slum-dwellers within 5 years. The second major objective was to reduce Non Revenue Water below 25% in 10 years time. The contract was awarded to Orange City Water Limited — a 50:50 joint venture SPV company incorporated with equal equity stake of Vishvaraj Environment Pvt. Ltd. and Veolia Water of France. The Private entity to bring in 3o% of the investment of the estimated project cost, 70% to be the Public entity’s contribution under MN URM + l00% escalation. The project to be operative for 25 years of O&M inclusive of 5 years of capital rehabilitation. The project covers management of the entire water cycle from production, treatment (657 MLD), transport (2100 Kms of network), storage and delivery to the last point of usage i.e. the customers tap. This involves replacement of more than 3,00,00 house service connections, rehabilitation of treatment facilities, service reservoirs and pipeline. Every household including slums to get individual continuous piped water supply connection. Involving people and to see their problems from their point view, is a key factor for the sustainable development in Water Sector especially through PPP. Therefore the concept of Citizen Engagement came into existence through various platforms. We are giving emphasis on communicating with all stakeholders for all our projects in water sector.



Tuesday 4 October 2016

Why Nagpur’s Water Management is a good model according driven by Arun Lakhani

Every family has a tap and a meter irrespective of whether it is a slum, a flat or a bungalow. There is accountability for every drop of water supplied the first time,” says Arun Lakhani, chairman and managing director, Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd (VIL India), which was put into effect the Nagpur Orange City Water Project. The goal of the project was to address problems of water that was being exhausted and not getting billed. The city was supplying 575 million litres per day (mld) of treated water of which only 175 mld was getting billed and paid for. Most meters were either non-existent or non functional. Also, the city was receiving water supply for eight to 10 hours or on alternate days. The tanker mafia added to the problem. On the sewage side, the city was generating 550 mld of sewage and had the capacity to treat only 100 mld. The remaining untreated sewage was polluting water bodies that supplied water to the city. For this project, the private company invested 30% of the estimated project cost, 70% grants came from the JNNURM scheme, shared by both the state and the Central government. The project was initiated by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. This project has showcased as the model case study for other cities at the launch of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart City initiative. The company also undertook a waste water reuse project for Nagpur city under which National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will be reusing 200 mld of treated water from the STP for its Mauda plant. By doing so, the city will get an additional 200 million litres per day of water, which is enough for 200 lakh people.
“Currently, the industrial sector, which is one of the biggest consumers of water, is supplied fresh treated potable water. They can easily use waste water treated up to the secondary level. As much as 80% of the water being supplied to cities is right there. It only needs to be treated and supplied to industries. Good potable water that industries get can be swapped for residential and drinking purposes,” says Arun Lakhani. Out of a 1,000 ml litre per day supplied to a town, nearly 800 mld is coming back as sewage. Out of this almost 500 mld can be treated and supplied to commercial complexes, industries, thermal power stations and water city parks. This can solve water shortage problems in almost every town, he says.