Indian water supply infrastructure delivery system is plagued by a multitude of problems such as poor quality, high levels of wastages and inefficiency, absence of infrastructure access for the poor etc. Will effective technology deployment help?

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Indian water supply infrastructure delivery system is plagued by a multitude of problems such as poor quality, high levels of wastages and inefficiency, absence of infrastructure access for the poor etc. Will effective technology deployment help?

Created January 19, 2012 by Shriya Ramachandran 简体中文 Русский

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I have done research in India relating to water policy. In my opinion and according to people in India I have interviewed, technology alone will not help if on-going governance problems are not solved at the same time. There is a lack of law enforcement and poor management of water resources, which is also weakened by prevailing corruption. Existing governance for water supports especially urban, rich domestic users, industrial units and rich landowners on the expense of small and marginal farmers, the urban poor and people living in remote rural areas. There is indeed a need for efficient technology, but it must be reviewed in the framework of existing water governance.

January 26, 2012 by Alina Pathan 简体中文 Русский

In deed. Water problems are multiples and a subject only to be solved by technology. Even, there are a lot of areas rich in water resources but where the people suffer under bad water supply services. I agree with you that there are the governance problems, not equitable water supply (areas, mostly with high standard housing having better service as other areas) and not efficient technical and commercial operations. Agree with you that only technology doesn't help

February 10, 2012 by Marcel Salazar 简体中文 Русский

Thank you for your valuable comments. Is PPP a solution???I have been reading reports which highlights the recent experience with PPP in Urban water supply in India which has shown that with a customer focussed approach and demonstration of clear benefits, there will be a greater political and public acceptability of private participation which includes a fair bit of technology deployment. On the other hand global experience shows that unless the incentives for all stakeholders are well- aligned, relying on PPPs to solve the water situation may not yield the desired results.

February 14, 2012 by Shriya Ramachandran 简体中文 Русский

Shriya, in my opinion is PPP not an universal remedy to the problems. There is the impression that globally PPPs in water sector doesn't succeed but we have to keep in mind that often only the big crash is discussed in the newspapers (Manila, Cochabamba,...). Examples where it has worked are not so sound (e.g. Chile and some other countries). In the near past PPP has been seen as a solution thinking that private operators can bring more efficiency, etc. but most of them, by nature, were profit driven. As you say, in India there have been positive cases, while in other countries the result were not positive. In fact there is not universal model. For succes, the model (private operator, PPP or public company) have to be adapted to the local reality and the feasibility (legal, institutional, social,..) has to be analyse before. The public acceptability depends on transparency and real improvements in the level of services.

February 23, 2012 by Marcel Salazar 简体中文 Русский

Topic:

Indian water supply infrastructure delivery system is plagued by a multitude of problems such as poor quality, high levels of wastages and inefficiency, absence of infrastructure access for the poor etc. Will effective technology deployment help?

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