Lucknow, U. P., Aug. 9 – The highly anticipated Swacch Jal Swacch Bharat III, a one-day workshop dedicated to Urban Water Management, concluded successfully, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, technologists, and environmental advocates. The event, held at Hyatt Regency, Lucknow, featured a series of insightful sessions, interactive panel discussions, and networking opportunities focused on the future of urban water systems.
Key Highlights:
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, Hon’ble Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh who was the Chief Guest for the event. His esteemed leadership and commitment to urban development set the stage for impactful discussions and innovative solutions in urban water management. The Hon’ble Chief Secretary spoke about the need to transform data to action for efficient use of water and promoting water reuse. He highlighted the issue that big cities are not able to implement drinking water schemes efficiently due to a lack of effective monitoring systems and that execution standards also need to be improved. He emphasised that digital interventions like SCADA and IoT based solutions can play a major role in bringing about the paradigm shift in the drinking water operations at the city level. He expressed his hope that this workshop would yield actionable insights on the digitisation of urban water management, emphasising the critical need to transition from data collection to meaningful action. By harnessing the power of technology, he envisioned more informed decision-making that can drive real progress in managing water resources efficiently and sustainably.
Post the inaugural session, the workshop was conducted across 2 sessions on policy and technology and transforming data to action. Both sessions were marked by impactful contributions from eminent experts and speakers. Their compelling insights and diverse perspectives enriched the discussions, shedding light on the critical challenges and innovative solutions in urban water management. The depth of knowledge and experience shared underscored the importance of collective action and collaboration in shaping a sustainable future for our cities.
The interactive Q&A session at the end played a vital role in deepening the understanding of urban water management. It allowed participants to engage directly with experts, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas that further contributed to the cause. The thoughtful questions and insightful responses enriched the dialogue, paving the way for more informed and effective solutions.
Inaugural Address:
After the welcome address by Ms. Anupama Madhok Sud, Director & Editor of Water Digest and lamp lighting, the workshop commenced with an inspiring opening address by Dr. Nishith Rai, Director, Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Lucknow. The keynote address by Shri Amrit Abhijat (IAS), Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh set the tone for the day, emphasising the urgent need for innovative and sustainable water management practices in urban areas. He highlighted that with increasing urban population the challenges of the water sector are also rising. Swachh Bharat Mission focused on sanitation and AMRUT 2.0 is now focusing on improving the water supply coverage and water use efficiency. The urban local bodies’ capacities are limited in meeting the demands of the increasing population, hence technology interventions can play a major role in bridging the gap and provide support to the local bodies in effective monitoring and efficient service delivery to citizens at the local level. He hoped that this workshop would provide good insight and discussion and come out with some good recommendations for policymakers and the government in improving urban water management.
Session I: Policy and Tech – Bridging the Gap in Urban Water Management
This session highlighted the critical interplay between policy frameworks and technological advancements. Experts discussed how smart technologies, such as IoT and AI, are transforming water monitoring and management, while progressive policies are paving the way for sustainable practices. The session was chaired by Shri Anuj Jha (IAS), Director, Directorate of Urban Local Bodies & Mission Director of Swachh Bharat Mission, Government of Uttar Pradesh with insightful presentations and talks by Shri Kamalakannan Thiruvadi, Regional Executive, South Asia at Bentley Systems Shri Anshuman, Director, Water Resources TERI, Shri R. P. Singh, General Manager-Jal, Noida Development Authority and Shri A. K. Gupta, Additional Director, Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Lucknow.
Session II: From Data to Action
In this session, speakers delved into the journey from data collection to actionable insights. Attendees learned about advanced data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modeling techniques that are driving effective decision-making in urban water management. The session was ably chaired by Dr. Alka Singh, Joint Director, RCUES, Lucknow, with engaging viewpoints by Shri Mohamed Shaffi K., Chief Operating Officer – India Cluster, VA TECH WABAG Limited, Shri Kuldeep Singh, General Manager, Jal Sansthan, Lucknow, Shri Jay Prakash, Jal Kal, Ayodhya Nagar Nigam, Shri Kumar Gaurav, General Manager, Jal Sansthan, Prayagraj and Shri Mohit Bradoo, Sr. Account Manager, Bentley Systems.
Interactive Panel Discussions:
The workshop ended with a lively panel discussion with thoughtful questions and expert answers that provided a platform for participants to engage with experts, share their experiences, and explore collaborative solutions to common challenges in the water sector.
Networking Opportunities:
Participants had ample opportunities to network with peers, industry leaders, and experts, fostering connections that are crucial for future collaborations and innovations in water management.
Looking Ahead:
The event concluded with a call to action for continued innovation and collaboration in urban water management. Participants left with a renewed commitment to apply the knowledge gained and to work towards more sustainable and efficient water systems in their organisations and communities.
The event was organised by Water Digest in partnership with the Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (RCUES), Lucknow. Bentley Systems and Andritz were the industry partners for the workshop with ICICI Bank as the logo partner.
Visit thewaterdigest.com for more details on the workshop and future events.
