Municipal corporations highest polluters of water

MUMBAI, INDIA - Noting that 54% of India face extremely high water stress owing to unsustainable growth of urbanization, contamination of fresh water bodies, sub-optimal irrigation practices, Budhiraja said the government and the civil society are late in taking measures. This strong message echoed in the panel discussion on ‘Water Matters’ jointly organized by World Trade Centre Mumbai and Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority ahead of World Water Day.

The officials of Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority sounded the alarm bells by saying the Municipalities are the worst water polluters and strict penalty along with the water tariffs need to be introduced. Ravi B. Budhiraja, Chairman, MWRRA, delivered the theme address at a panel.

Pradeep Purandare, Retired Associate Professor, Water and Land Management Institute, Aurangabad stressed on the need to migrate from the old irrigation system of open channel, which is very difficult to control and regulate, to participatory irrigation system, which is flexible in management. Ramakant Pandit Rao, Superintending Engineer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) said the corporation is encouraging the setting up of sewerage treatment plants in order to ensure that wastewater is recycled for non-drinking usage.

S.S. Chaudhari, Chief Engineer, City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) observed that the demand for water is far exceeding the supply levels. He pointed out, “Soon showers will be become a luxury for most Indians.” Among the other speakers was Suresh V Sodal, Member, Water Resources Engineering, MWRRA.

Earlier in her welcome address, Rupa Naik, Director-Projects, World Trade Centre Mumbai said individual organizations and households must take steps on a daily basis to conserve water. These steps, along with the government measures, may go a long way in reducing wastage of this precious resource, Naik said. Khyati Naravane, Assistant Director-Trade Promotion proposed the vote of thanks.

PHOTO (L-R) : Ravi B. Budhiraja, Chairman, MWRRA, delivering the theme address at the panel discussion on ‘Water Matters’. Looking on is Suresh V. Sodal, Member, Water Resources Engineering, MWRRA, Chitkala Zutshi I.A.S. (Retd.), Member, Water Resources Economy, MWRRA, during the panel discussion organized jointly by World Trade Centre Mumbai  and Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority ahead of ‘World Water Day’.

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