Mumbai, Oct 22 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday stressed the need to ensure the financial viability and sustainability of water projects by securing land and necessary permissions in advance, reducing power costs, and identifying users for treated wastewater.
He was speaking at a review meeting on Maharashtra’s urban infrastructure and water projects with delegations from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) at his official residence here.
The meeting discussed project implementation, funding, technical solutions and measures to complete projects within stipulated timelines.
Fadnavis said collaboration with the World Bank should not be limited to financial assistance but should also help bring institutional and systemic changes through modern technology and efficient processes.
He said projects selected for funding should be fully prepared for implementation, with land, rights of way and all necessary permissions secured in advance.
Delays in land acquisition and other clearances often postpone the start of projects by one to two years, he noted.
The chief minister said better coordination among agencies and the combined use of available resources could reduce funding costs and make projects financially viable over the long term. He also highlighted the need to develop such infrastructure in smaller cities.
Emphasising the need to reduce operating costs, Fadnavis said electricity expenses often create difficulties for water projects, even when there are no technical problems.
He called for the use of solar power, battery storage and other modern technologies to reduce electricity costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of these projects.
The chief minister also stressed the need to identify industrial and other users of treated wastewater at the planning stage itself.
This would help increase the reuse of treated water, generate demand and enable the recovery of part of the investment made in the projects, he said.
Fadnavis said existing policies for supplying treated wastewater to industrial areas and power generation plants should be updated, and effective mechanisms developed to increase its use.
The timelines presented at the meeting were ambitious but achievable through proper planning and coordination, the chief minister said.
The meeting was attended by World Bank South Asia and IFC officials.
(PTI News)
