New Delhi: Arun Lakhani, of leading water management player Vishvaraj Industries, today complimented Prime Minister Narender Modi led government for taking a host of initiatives for conservation, harvesting, recycling and treatment of scarce water and said sustainable efforts for water sector is a must in the face of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. “Urban local bodies are however constrained by the fund shortage and are not taking the water sector projects to the level desired,” he said participating in a seminar “Challenges of Water Supply and Sanitation for Urban and Rural Areas” on the occasion of India Water Week, 2016, inaugurated by Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.

Lakhani, said that India requires a staggering over US$ 45 Billion investment for improvement in the water sector and industry should become a partner to the government for this national cause.

“Carriage and treatment of waste water is being overlooked by the local bodies and doesn’t get the due importance. The need for sustainable development of water sector cannot be over looked,” he said and voiced a word of caution that water cannot and should not be merely treated as an economic commodity as it is the basic right of human being and is deeply embodied in the social fabric of the community.”  The seminar on the second day of the Water Week was attended by large segment of government officials, water management players and industry leaders.

A session on case study presentation was organized by FICCI where eminent speaker from the water industry presented their views and solutions pertaining to water sector. The speakers present at the case study presentation were Mr Arun Lakhani, CMD – Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd, Mr Pradeep Suri – Chairman, IL&FS Water Ltd and Chairman FICCI’s National Executive Committee on Urban Infrastructure and Smart Cities, Mr. Dinesh Chand, Additional Advisor for Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Mr M.S. Agarwal, Retd Chairman, GRMB, Siddhartha Prakash, Sr Operations officer, International Finance Corporation, IFC.

Best practices from companies across industries were shared along with strategic keynote presentations by industry stalwarts who play an integral role in the field of water sustainability in India. The importance of risk management and mitigation was stressed upon at the conference; this is crucial for the longevity of any sectors sustainability and collaboration is the way forward to address radical and frequent changes in the externalities of ecosystem.

The event was inaugurated by shrimati Uma Bharti Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that Water Resources are the prime input to the growth and prosperity of a nation and Films can prove to be an effective tool of communication to spread the message of water conservation. Vishvaraj industries is a pioneer player in treating waste water for household consumption and created a showcased project in Nagpur to supply water to more than half of winter capital of Maharashtra nearly 15 years ago and is now providing consultancy to various Urban Local Bodies and policy maker in efficient use of water technology.