India, Israel to share expertise in water management at new IIT-Madras facility
India and Israel have decided to expand their partnership in the water sector by announcing the setting up of a dedicated centre for water technology in association with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
The ‘India-Israel Center of Water Technology’ (CoWT) will help provide sustainable management solutions for the water sector in India and will help ensure implementation and adaptation of Israeli technologies found suitable for Indian requirements.
The Union Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry will collaborate with MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, to establish the new facility, said an official statement. Israel, a major strategic partner to India, is a global leader in integrated water resources management.
The Centre will also work towards enhancing cooperation in specific areas of capacity-building of Indian water professionals at various, demonstrate latest technologies and put up exhibition of Israeli water companies.
“The partnership with IIT-Madras is very important and with our partners in Central Government (AMRUT) and IIT-M, we will jointly work for better management of water resources of India. This will be done with a focus on introduction of new state-of-art Israeli technology and know-how in a more sustainable manner”, said Embassy of Israel Water Attache Dr Lior Asaf.
The upcoming Centre will also help the ‘AMRUT’ Mission of the Housing & Urban Affairs Ministry for achieving its overall targets. In addition, it will pursue joint activities for implementing technological solutions through separate agreements.
The CoWT will also work towards the mutual exchange of technology, scientific information, literature, and hold discussions and consultations on various issues in the area with experts from both the countries to address problems in drinking water and sewerage management and to develop new areas of intervention.
“Water security of India depends on the implementation of advanced and affordable technologies as well as efficient management of the resources. There is much to learn from Israel, a leader in the area, under the guidance of AMRUT Mission”, said IIT-Madras Professor and Deepak Parekh Institute Chair Professor, Department of Chemistry, Professor T Pradeep.
The two Governments also intend to jointly identify specific projects relating to integrated water resources management, urban water supply and non-revenue water, water and sewage recycling, IoT solution and online monitoring, water harvesting, smart data management and AI, among other areas, with the objective of demonstrating most advanced technologies in the field, the statement added.
