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.

Vishvaraj Infrastructure And Orange City Water (Nagpur 24x7)

India has vast requirement of Infrastructure building and improvement. The PPP route was established in last decade also saw some lean time. With New government initiative the PPP has again come with better risk sharing matrix between private and public. Vishvaraj Infrastructure (VIL India) has been a proponent of PPP model, and has established track record in Road and highways sector.  With Urban Infrastructure foray in Water, it is today the only Indian Utility with ongoing projects in Water distribution as well as Waste water treatment and Reuse.

VIL India also popular for the Orange City Water (OCW) project  is a joint venture of Veolia Water India Pvt. Ltd., the World Leader in Water Business and Vishwaraj Environment Ltd., one of India’s leaders in the infrastructure development. Established in November 2011, the organization is especially established for the execution of Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Uninterrupted Water Supply Scheme, popularly known as 24×7 Water Supply Scheme, under Central Government’s ambitious JnNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission).

We offer vital services to our customers throughout Nagpur and contribute to the fitness and wellbeing of the community. Our services involve planning, constructing, operating, treating, maintaining and distributing water resources throughout Nagpur. We always look forward to protect our surroundings from any health hazards. We are ambitious and have a clear vision of every aspect. Looking at the future, we aim to provide 24x7 water supplies with minimum interruptions to the flow of water.

The Vision was to ensure 24×7 drinking water supply at optimum pressure and of good quality, at reasonable rate, to every citizen of the city of Nagpur while ensuring sustainable development and management of the Nagpur’s water resources. Orange City Water has been handling Nagpur city’s water operations since March 2012. It is responsible for water operations from raw water catchment till bill collection, all over Nagpur.

With a workforce of about 400 employees on roll and still counting, Orange City Water Pvt. Ltd. has become the best service provider of waterworks in Nagpur. Apart from the on roll employees a large team of outsourced employees is supporting the routine organizational work. The company delivers high-quality, essential services to ensure the provision of safe, clean drinking water all over Nagpur. We meet our clients’ needs by nurturing local relationships that are conducive to sustainable water management.

Orange City Water is also managing the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Water Treatment Plants at Gorewada, all the Elevated Service Reservoirs, Ground Service Reservoirs, Master Balancing Reservoirs commonly known as Water Tanks. Apart from the above major on- site departments the organization is well equipped with a strong back office support with departments like HR, Finance, PR, Administration, etc. Considering the mammoth job the company has to manage, it is expanding its base in all the ways horizontally and progressing vertically.

The Nagpur 24x7 or OCW has made a tremendous impact on the lives of citizens of Nagpur with providing them with pressurized round the  clock water supply for all the zones of the city along with equitable distribution of water supply.